Egypt national team winger Taher Mohamed shoots the ball during the 2-0 defeat to Uzbekistan in the semifinal of Al Ain International Cup in Al-Ain, UAE, on Friday, 14 November 2025. Photo: EFA's official X account.
Oston Urunov opened the scoring for Uzbekistan just four minutes into the match and doubled their lead two minutes before halftime.
The early pressure from Uzbekistan paid off when Urunov dribbled past Egypt’s defense and unleashed a powerful strike from inside the box.
Egypt came close to equalizing in the seventh minute when Mohamed Salah set up Marwan Osman with a close-range pass, but Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvokhid Nematov calmly collected the ball.
Osman then missed another opportunity, failing to convert a cross from Ahmed Sayed Zizo, as Uzbekistan’s defense cleared the danger.
The Pharaohs continued to press forward in search of an equalizer. Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed connected with a backheel pass from Zizo, but his right-footed shot was easily saved by Nematov.
Uzbekistan nearly extended their lead in the 28th minute when Eldor Shomurodov blasted a shot from close range over the bar.
Mostafa Mohamed missed another chance seven minutes before the break, failing to control a brilliant pass from Osman inside the box.
Just before halftime, Urunov struck again, collecting a superb pass, dribbling past Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhi, and scoring from the left side to put Uzbekistan 2-0 up and secure their place in the final.
At the start of the second half, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan made changes, bringing on defender Ahmed Fatouh and midfielder Taher Mohamed for Marwan Osman and Zizo, respectively.
Mostafa Mohamed missed another close-range header after receiving a precise cross, but Nematov was there to block the effort.
Hassan made further substitutions, introducing Salah Mohsen, Mahmoud Saber, and Mahmoud Zalaka to freshen up the attack.
Egypt continued to push forward in search of a goal, but they struggled to create clear-cut chances.
Substitute Mahmoud Saber fired a shot from outside the box, but Uzbekistan’s defense blocked it into a corner kick by the end of the game.
Egypt will now face Cape Verde in the third-place decider on Monday, after the latter lost to Iran in the other semifinal.
The loss marked the second defeat for coach Hossam Hassan since taking charge of the Egypt national team in February 2024.
His first loss came in a 4-2 defeat to Croatia in a friendly tournament at the New Capital Stadium in March 2024.
The 59-year-old coach has led Egypt in 17 matches, securing 11 wins and 4 draws, guiding the Pharaohs to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals and the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.
Egypt’s participation in the Al Ain Cup is part of their preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which kicks off in Morocco in December. The Pharaohs have been drawn in Group B alongside Angola, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
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