Egypt coach denies feud with Salah after substitution in World Cup opening game
Coach Hossam Hassan spoke about rumors of a possible feud with Mohamed Salah, after the player was substituted in the World Cup opener against Belgium.
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has dismissed rumors of a rift with Mohamed Salah after the star was substituted in the opening World Cup game against Belgium. Salah provided an assist for Emam Ashour in the first group game, before being replaced in the 76th minute by Barcelona youngster Hamza Abdelkarim. The decision to remove the captain from the team, with the score at 1-1, generated comments and raised speculation about a disagreement between him and the coach.
"Salah is an important player for our squad, and the 26 who are here with me are also very important. Every player who has ever worked with me knows that I deal with them in a professional manner. I don't have favorites," said Hassan.
He also praised Salah, stating that he is a disciplined player and an example for his colleagues. "Whether he starts or is substituted, that's fine. It's his role as a player. Everyone knows that I'm working for the benefit of the team and the national team.
"Rumors are being spread about stars, about players, about teams. But Salah is someone who is very disciplined. He trains with us and is the first to say yes to my decisions as technical director. I believe he will be very positive tomorrow," he added.
Salah was instrumental in Egypt's World Cup qualification, scoring nine goals, and now the team is looking for its first victory in the tournament's history. After the draw between Egypt and Belgium and the 2-2 between New Zealand and Iran, the points in Group G are up for grabs, with all teams having one point so far. Hassan concluded: "We drew in the first match and we want to win to secure these points. That is our ambition for tomorrow, the ambition of the Egyptian people, for Egyptian football and for African football as well. We’re representing all these people and we really hope to perform well.”
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