Mohamed Shehata to kingsportgr: “Egypt’s national team will rely mainly on highly experienced footballers”
Predictions for the match and everything you need to know about the “Pharaohs”.
Shortly before Egypt’s match against Belgium, kingsport.gr and Antonis Moustakas secured statements from Mohamed Shehata, a journalist for Ahlram_alarabic and Channel MBC. He spoke about the team’s current image and the difficult task facing Egypt’s national team against Belgium.
He also referred positively to Hossam Hassan’s presence on the national team bench, noting that defensive organization is the key element of his tactical approach. Finally, he singled out 18-year-old forward Hamza Abdel Karim as a player fans should keep an eye on—one of the greatest talents in Egyptian football, who is expected to get his chances at the World Cup.
In detail, everything he said:
1. What are Egypt’s realistic chances of achieving a positive result against Belgium?
“I believe this is a very big match against a team with world-class stars. However, achieving a positive result for Egypt will not be easy, as Belgium has top-level international players in many key positions, with the most notable examples being Doku of Manchester City and Trossard of Arsenal. On Egypt’s side, Mohamed Salah is no longer at the same performance level as in previous years because of his age. I believe Belgium has the advantage.”
2. How would you assess the coach’s performance and tactical approach ahead of the start of the tournament?
“Hossam Hassan, the head coach of Egypt’s national team, is one of the great attacking figures of African football. His spell on the team’s bench so far has been viewed positively, as he led Egypt to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, coming close to the final before eventually being eliminated by Senegal. Before the World Cup, Egypt played several friendly matches, recording a win against Saudi Arabia, a goalless draw (0-0) with Spain, a victory over Russia and a defeat to Brazil. Hassan’s football philosophy has traditionally been based on defensive organization, and he is expected to follow the same approach at the World Cup.”
3. Which young talents from Egypt’s national team do you believe fans should watch?
“Egypt’s national team will rely mainly on footballers with great experience from the leagues of Africa and Europe. Nevertheless, there is an 18-year-old forward, Hamza Abdel Karim, who plays for Barcelona’s youth team and is considered one of the country’s greatest talents. I believe Hossam Hassan will give him playing time at the World Cup, as he is a highly gifted footballer who deserves the opportunity.”
4. What is the atmosphere within the Egypt squad ahead of this important match?
“There is great optimism within Egypt’s national team ahead of the tournament. The team draws confidence from important past performances in major international competitions, such as the victory over Italy in the Confederations Cup and the historic 4-3 defeat to Brazil, in a match that thrilled football fans around the world. These memories strengthen the belief that Egypt can compete against any opponent.”