Egypt coach 'not going to run any risks' as Salah faces fitness race
ARLINGTON: Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has revealed Mohamed Salah is not guaranteed to start against Australia in Dallas as he continues his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury.
Salah went through his warm-up drills and shared laughs with the Egypt squad at South Methodist University for 15 minutes before the media were required to leave.
Mo Salah with ice on his hamstring. Getty
The star winger/midfielder departed the match early against Iran and had ice on his left hamstring when captured sitting on the bench.
In a press conference that started with Egyptian journalists squabbling over one person’s phone being too high in the front row, Hassan explained where Salah is at with his fitness.
“Our very distinguished medical department took care of that,” he said in Arabic, which has been translated.
“We tried to introduce him to partial team training as of yesterday only.
“But, Salah is a passionate player, he’s very much looking forward to making his own contribution with his players but on the other hand I am not going to run any risk unless I am 100% sure he is fit and raring to go tomorrow.
“We are looking forward to him playing tomorrow … just not sure if it is going to be in the starting line-up.”
Egypt’s path to the round of 32 came in Group G with two 1-1 draws against Iran and Belgium. The African nation beat New Zealand 3-1.
Hassan compared the physicality of the Socceroos to those three teams but wasn’t worried about any height advantages Australia has over Egypt.
“What have you seen up until now? You’ve seen we play a balanced game, we play as a collective, it’s important to study our opponent of course but at the same time we have to have our own personality,” he said.
“... Of course, I’ve been following the Australian squad since the qualifying campaign, and they also participated in the Asian Cup. I’ve followed them the same as I followed Iran, they have experienced players, play long balls and have physical strength.
“They’re a great team, I respect every squad we face.”
