Egypt took down Rwanda 3-0 last night in the only World Cup Qualifier for July.

The Pharaohs looked out of sorts in the first half and at the break both sides were scoreless. Granted, the Egyptians were missing three of their key players: captain Ahmed Hassan, Middlesbrough’s Mido, and former Wigan Athletic striker Amr Zaki. However, their form in the first 45 minutes was dismal in comparison to their early showing in the Confederations Cup last month. You have remember that this is the same team that beat World Champs Italy and just barely lost to the ultimate winners of the tournament, Brazil.

Still, the Pharaohs managed to get back in it and kept alive hopes of their first World Cup finals appearance since Italy 1990. Mohamed Aboutrika scored a brace with Hosny Abd Rabo converting a penalty in between. Rwanda didn’t play terribly, just ineffectually, and Eric Gassana being sent off for a second yellow didn’t help matters.

I’m really looking forward to see how Egypt fares in its last three group matches. The Pharaohs basically need to win every game if they want to have a hope of playing in South Africa next year. Algeria are currently top of the table but will have to face Egypt away from home in their next meeting.

Keep an eye on BetUS come August when the WCQs start up again. It’s getting to the business end of the competition and every country that still has a chance of making the finals is going to believe they are unstoppable.