Fastgoal.com <World Cup 2018> - Group A - Egypt Team Review

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Egypt

FIFA World Ranking: 46
Qualifying Average Goals Per Match: 1.50
Qualifying Average Goals Against Per Match: 0.63
Qualifying Top Scorer: Mohamed Salah (5)
World Cup Best Performance: First Round/Group Stage (1934 &1990)

Group A Opponents: Russia, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.


The Manager: Héctor Cupér
The 62 year old Argentine is vastly experienced having had spells at Inter Milan, Valencia, Real Betis and the Georgian national side in his career. Winner of the European coach of the year award back in the year 2000, Cuper is famed for his pragmatic approach. That defensive mindedness has been particularly in evidence since taking the helm at Egypt but has born fruit with 19 wins from his 32 games in charge so far. Guiding Egypt to just their third World Cup Finals is a fine achievement, but he will need all of his tactical nous if they are to progress further.


The Squad:
Predominantly drawn from the Egyptian League with Al-Ahly the biggest contributor, the squad has plenty of experience, particularly at the back. 45 year old goalkeeper Essam El Hadary will become the oldest player in World Cup history if he takes his place between the sticks, whilst in defence Ahmed Hegazy, Ali Gabr and Ahmed Hegazy bring plenty of know having plied their trade in England’s top divisions.

Ramadan Sobhi of Stoke is one to watch in midfield. This box of tricks has been more style over substance to date, but if Cupér can find the right role for him in this side, he is the type of player to provide some much-needed creativity, particularly should Salah be absent.

Unfortunately for Egypt they may well have lost their two key players through injury before the tournament has even kicked off. Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny – a ball winning rock in midfield – definitely misses out. Most crucially of all though, Mohamed Salah – probably the greatest Egyptian player of all time – is facing a race against time to recover form a dislocated shoulder sustained in the Champions League final.


Star Man: Mohamed Salah
No surprise here. Mohamed Salah would be the star man in just about any side in the World the way he has been playing for Liverpool this season. Lightning quick, twinkle toed and an increasingly adept finisher, Salah is simply a joy to behold. The hopes of a nation hinge on the Kop’s Egyptian King recovering from his shoulder injury in time.


Outlook:
Egypt are the second best side in this Group according to the rankings, and with Mo Salah in the side, we would agree with that assessment. Without him though they are weaker… much weaker. Three weeks may not be anywhere near enough time to recover from that unfortunate dislocated shoulder sustained in the Champions League Final, and with doubts surrounding his participation, third place in the Group may be the best Egypt can hope for.


Group A Prediction: http://fastgoal.com/forum/index.php?topic=2436.0

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