Arab Cup: A disappointing draw for Al-Radef against Sudan

The reserve national team tied against Sudan, in the first round of the group stage of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025.

The two teams belonging to the fourth group met on the grounds of the Ahmed Bin Ali World Cup Stadium, at noon on Wednesday.

First half

Madjid Bougherra retained only three players from the starting lineup, compared to the last friendly match against Egypt in Cairo.

The matter concerns the pivotal defender, Ashraf Abada, the right-back, Reda Halaymiya, and the focal player, Victor Lakhal.

The technical director relied on the 4-3-3 tactical approach, with Abdul Qader Badran and Obada forming the axis of the defense, and Halaimiya and Nofal Khasif in the corridors.

Lakhal was accompanied by the duo Sufyan Ben Dabke and Yassine Ben Zia in the middle of the field, where Ben Zia was responsible for making plays.

Radwan Barkan, Adam, Nass and Adel Boulbena led the attack.

The national team did not appear ideal during this half, despite possessing 51 percent of the ball.

The team had three opportunities to score, the first through Sufyan Bin Dabkeh in the ninth minute, which the Saudi Al-Fateh player missed after shooting a header that passed wide of the Sudanese goalkeeper’s goal.

Radwan Borkan lost in a strange way despite being in front of the Sudanese goalkeeper face to face.

While Adel Boulbina did not deal with the third opportunity in an ideal way.

The Qatari Al-Duhail striker was late in handling the ball that Borkan passed to him, as he chose to dribble and then shot, but the opposing goalkeeper blocked it.

At the end of the first half, winger Adam Wannas was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.

The second half

The Sudanese national team entered the field in the second half, determined to exploit the numerical deficiency recorded in the national reserve team squad.

The Jedi Falcons controlled the ball during most of the second phase, especially in the midfield, which lacked harmony between the trio of Lakhal, Ben Dabke and Ben Zia.

Bougherra tried to make a tactical change in the 65th minute, bringing in Islam Slimani in place of Radouane Berkane and Youssef Atal instead of Yacine Ben Zia.

The team then switched to a 4-4-1 plan in light of the numerical shortage, as Boulbina retreated to the left corridor in the midfield while Atal passed to the right corridor.

Bougherra returned to make a third change, as Amir Saioud (physically unfit due to injury) replaced Adel Boulbina.

The coach’s touch did not add much, as the national team lacked opportunities.

On the contrary, Abdul Raouf Yacoub almost tipped the balance in Sudan’s favor in the 69th minute.

The Al Hilal player shot the bird from inside the penalty area, but the ball passed only centimeters past the right post of Farid Shaal’s goal.

The score remained the same during the last ten minutes, until Egyptian referee Amin Mohamed Omar announced the end of the match in a goalless draw.