'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
EGYPT
How they qualified
Egypt topped a 4-team group consisting of themselves, Uganda, Ghana and Congo. They won 4 of their 6 games, losing only to Uganda. Incidentally, Egypt were Africa’s first-ever representative in a World Cup when they qualified for Italia ’34. This will be Egypt’s 3rd appearance on the biggest stage having done so in 1934 and 1990 previously. The African team’s charge will be led by Premier League golden boot winner, Mohamed Salah, who topped the scoring charts for Egypt with 5 goals.
Tactics & Formation
Egypt, managed by Argentine coach Hector Cuper, play a solid 4-2-3-1 system, deploying two defensive midfielders, Mohamed Elneny and Tarek Hamed. The defence is marshalled by West Brom’s tough-tackling defender, Ahmed Hegazi. Usually, it is Elneny who gets the license to join the attack as the full-backs push up.
The Argentine manager likes his team to press hard whenever possible, before falling back to a 4-4-2, with number 10 Abdallah Said pushing up alongside the striker. The main aim is to feed Salah whose trickery and finishing provide the cutting edge.
But this Egypt side is far from a one-man team as Braga centre-forward Ahmed Hassan Kouka, with his physical edge brings the midfield into play with neat flick-ons and lay-offs. Stoke’s Ramadan Sobhi provides width from the left, often cutting inside to create an overload in the centre.
Players to Watch out for
Mohamed Salah: The star player of the team, much will depend on the fitness of the Liverpool winger. Having injured his shoulder during the Champions League final, Salah might miss out on the first game against Uruguay on July 15th.
Mohamed Elneny: A bit-part player at Arsenal, Elneny is the main man for the Pharaohs. Still only 25 years old, the midfielder has already accumulated more than 50 caps for Egypt.
Essam El-Hadary: Captain of the team, at 45 years of age, El-Hadary could become the World Cup’s oldest ever player. The 157-cap goalkeeper currently plies his trade in Saudi Arabia.
Verdict
Egypt have got a bunch of good players at their peak, yet their dependence on talisman Salah is huge. A fit and firing Salah would have surely eased Egypt past the group stage, but weaker competition and strong team bonding should still see them through ahead of Russia and Saudi Arabia. Prediction: Group runners-up.
Squad
Head coach: Héctor Cúper
Goalkeepers: Essam El Hadary (Al Taawoun), Mohamed El-Shennawy, Sherif Ekramy (both Al Ahly).
Defenders: Ahmed Fathi, Saad Samir, Ayman Ashraf (all Al Ahly), Mahmoud Hamdy (Zamalek), Mohamed Abdel-Shafy (Al Fateh), Ahmed Hegazi (West Brom), Ali Gabr (Zamalek), Ahmed Elmohamady (Aston Villa), Omar Gaber (Los Angeles FC).
Midfielders: Tarek Hamed, (Zamalek), Abdallah Said (Al Ahli), Sam Morsy (Wigan Athletic), Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal), Ramadan Sobhi (Stoke City), Mahmoud Hassan (Kasimpasa).
Forwards: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Marwan Mohsen (Al Ahly), Shikabala (Zamalek), Amr Warda (Atromitos), Mahmoud Kahraba (Al Ittihad).
