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Preview: Australia Under-23s vs. Egypt Under-23s - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Olympic Games Men's Football clash between Australia Under-23s and Egypt Under-23s, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Australia Under-23s face Egypt Under-23s in the Olympic Games on Wednesday, with the Olyroos able to secure their progression to the knockout stages with a victory.

Egypt, meanwhile, must win while hoping that the other result in Group C goes in their favour in order to advance.


Match preview

Marco Tilio of Australia celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates on July 22, 2021© Reuters

After beating Argentina 2-0 in their opening match, Australia's match against Spain almost became a free hit for Graham Arnold's side given the difference in quality between the two teams.

Indeed, Spain started six players who featured for the senior team on their way to reaching the semi-finals at Euro 2020, with one of their young contigent ultimately proving to be the match-winner on Sunday.

Mikel Oyarzabal, who is the captain of Spain U23s at the Olympics, frequently had a positive impact when coming on from the substitutes' bench for Luis Enrique's side at Euro 2020, but the Real Sociedad forward demonstrated that he can last the distance, too, by scoring an 81st-minute winner against Australia.

However, Australia remain in the driving seat to finish second behind Spain in Group C, but they must beat Egypt to ensure their progression.

Egypt coach Gharib Shawky before the match on July 22, 2021© Reuters

Egypt, meanwhile, secured an extremely impressive point by holding Spain to a 0-0 draw in their opening game, before narrowly falling 1-0 to Argentina on Sunday.

Central defender Facundo Medina, who plies his trade at Ligue 1 side Lens domestically, scored in the 52nd minute to take the game away from the CAF side, who generally look devoid of attacking threat without Liverpool's Mohamed Salah.

Ultimately, however, there is minimal pressure on head coach Shawky Gharieb's shoulders given that he has only selected one over-age player for this tournament, although that is also true of their forthcoming opponents on Wednesday.

Given how competitive they were against more illustrious nations in their opening two games, there is still every chance of Egypt pulling off an upset and advancing alongside either Spain or Argentina into the quarter-finals at Australia's expense.

Australia Under-23s Olympic Games Men's Football form:
  • W
  • L

Egypt Under-23s Olympic Games Men's Football form:
  • D
  • L



Team News

Oscar Mingueza of Spain reacts after sustaining an injury as Ahmed Hegazy of Egypt reacts alongside referee Adham Makhadmeh on July 22, 2021© Reuters

Australia made no changes in terms of personnel against Spain, although Arnold did appear to switch from a 4-3-3 system to 4-4-2.

Marco Tilio will be hoping for a start in attack having scored from the bench against Argentina before coming on earlier in the 63rd minute against Spain, with Riley McGree potentially making way for the striker.

Emam Ashour and Taher Mohamed could return to Egypt's starting XI, meanwhile, having been dropped against Argentina.

Ahmed Hegazi, who is Egypt's only player over the age of 24 competing at the Olympics, retained his place in the centre of defence against Argentina despite being involved in a nasty collision with Oscar Mingueza during the draw with Spain, and there are no signs of any lasting negative affects on the 30-year-old.

Australia Under-23s possible starting lineup:
Glover; Atkinson, Deng, Souttar, King; Wales, Genreau, Metcalfe, Arzani; Duke, Rilio

Egypt Under-23s possible starting lineup:
El Shenawy; Hamdy, Hegazi, Galal; El Eraki, El Fotouh, Ashour, Tawfik; Mohamed, Rayyan, Sobhi


SM words green background

We say: Australia Under-23s 2-1 Egypt Under-23s

We expect to see a close game between these two sides on Wednesday, with everything yet to be determined in Group C.

However, Australia showed a level of class during their surprise win over Argentina which Egypt are yet to at the Olympics so far this year, with Gharieb's side likely to go home happy enough if they can score their first goal of the tournament.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


ID:457008:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect9032:

Who will win Wednesday's Olympic Games Men's Football clash between Australia U23s and Egypt U23s?

Australia Under-23s
Draw
Egypt Under-23s
Australia Under-23s
66.7%
Draw
0.0%
Egypt Under-23s
33.3%
3
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Olympic medal table header
CountryGold medalSilver MedalBronze MedalT
United StatesUnited States83819
JapanJapan82313
ChinaChina65718
Olympics flagOlympic Athletes from Russia56314
Great BritainGreat Britain45110
Today's Olympic highlights header

Tuesday's key events


TRIATHLON
· Team GB trio Vicky Holland, Georgia Taylor-Brown and Jess Learmonth all have realistic medal hopes in the women's event (10.30pm-1am)

RUGBY SEVENS
· After an impressive opening day, Great Britain play their final group game against a Fiji side level with them at the top of the pool, but also yet to hit their brilliant best (1.30am)

TAEKWONDO
· After disappointment for friend and housemate Jade Jones, Bianca Walkden will go for gold in the women's +67kg category (2am-2.30pm)
· Mahama Cho is another medal contender for Team GB in the men's +80kg class (2am-2.30pm)

SWIMMING
· Team GB's Duncan Scott has the chance to claim his first individual Olympic medal in the men's 200m freestyle final. Teammate Tom Dean is also involved. (2.43am)
· Kathleen Dawson is the Team GB representative in the women's 100m backstroke final (2.51am)

DIVING
· Eden Cheng and Lois Toulson will look to emulate Tom Daley and Matty Lee's success in the women's 10m synchro final (7am-8am)

EQUESTRIAN
· Three-time Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin is part of a Team GB team going for gold in the dressage team Grand Prix final (9.30am)

ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS
· Superstar Simone Biles leads the United States side in the women's team final (11.45am-2.10pm)

FOOTBALL
· Team GB's women's team play their final group game, taking on Canada with qualification for the knockout rounds already secured (12pm)

> Today's schedule in full
Todays Game Header Right
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