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MUSCAT, Oman – It was a tense contest between No. 25 U.S. Men’s National Team and No. 17 Egypt in the first semifinal of the 2025 FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2 in Muscat, Oman. The first half saw both sides trade goals as the scoreline at the break was level at 2-2. Egypt took control in the final frame, tallying two goals, as USA was defeated, 2-4.
The opening minutes saw back and forth play, with possession worked between the 25-yard lines. Midway through the quarter and inside the same minute - goals were traded. First, USA took the lead when Kei Kaeppeler converted into the top right corner of the net off a penalty corner. On the resuming play, Egypt got in their circle and although goalkeeper Jonathan Klages made the initial stop, Mohamed Nasr was on the rebound and sent a low angle backhand into the boards. It looked like the score would go into the quarter break even, but with seconds to go, Sekayi Charasika volleyed it out of the air into the net to regain the lead for USA, 2-1.
Two minutes inside the second frame, Egypt leveled it again off a penalty corner when Mohamed Ragab tapped it in off the post. The opposition was on the front foot for a period and had a set piece denied when Klages read the pass back to the inserter and made the stop. The final minute before the halftime break saw chances for both sides as USA had a numbers up situation but couldn’t capitalize, and Egypt had a close shot smothered by Klages.
In the third quarter tensions started rising. There was no change to the scoreline but in the 44th minute Jack Heldens was issued a 5-minute yellow card that rolled over to the final frame.
The even play continued as emotions increased in the final frame. In the 49th minute, an undisciplined USA error led to a penalty corner for Egypt which they converted on through Mahmoud Mamdouh. With 2 minutes to go, USA pulled Klages and unfortunately a minute later Egypt extended their lead on an open net goal from Ahmed Elganaini. USA continued to fight but ultimately fell 2-4.
At the conclusion of the game, Ahmed Elganaini was named Player of the Match.
The Wolves move to the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2 bronze medal match and will face No. 24 Poland tomorrow, February 23 at 6:30 a.m. ET. All matches from the event can be live streamed free on FIH.Hockey.
For more information on the 2025 FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2, visit the event page.
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