Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said he was optimistic about the health of Mohamed Salah despite the star striker’s second-half exit during his country’s 1-1 World Cup draw with Iran.
The result meant Egypt qualified for the knock-out last-32 round at the World Cup by finishing second in Group G. They will face Australia in Dallas on July 3 for a place in the last 16.
Salah, however, was forced off the pitch in the 57th minute with a hamstring injury, placing an icepack under his left thigh.
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“The doctor will write his report when we get back to the hotel and will carry out a second examination. I spoke with Salah and, God willing, the injury doesn’t seem serious,” Hassan said.
“I spoke with Salah and he assured me it would be fine, that it’s not a serious injury.”
Earlier this year, Liverpool star Salah was sidelined for three weeks with a hamstring injury. The 34-year-old scored one goal and contributed two assists during Egypt’s three group-stage games.
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ST KILDA’S TRIBUTE TO AUSSIE WORLD CUP HERO
Australian goalkeeping hero Patrick Beach said he was feeling “the love” after a well-known strip of sand in Melbourne was temporarily renamed in his honour.
Beach headed to the World Cup as number two to seasoned shot-stopper and Socceroos captain Mat Ryan.
But in a shock, he started their first game against Turkey and was retained for the next two clashes with the United States and Paraguay.
Melbourne City’s Beach, 22, has kept two clean sheets and is again set to play when they meet Egypt in the last-32 in Dallas on Friday.
His breakout tournament is being celebrated with St Kilda Beach officially being renamed Patrick Beach for the duration of the World Cup.
“What’s better than one iconic beach? Two,” said Alex Makin, mayor of the City of Port Phillip where St Kilda Beach is located.
“This is about getting behind the Socceroos and sharing in the excitement of the World Cup at home.
“Renaming St Kilda Beach is a uniquely local way to celebrate the team and embrace the global energy right here in Port Phillip.”
Beach told reporters in the United States that he was honoured. “It is very much appreciated, and I think it’s pretty funny as well,” he said.
“It’s great to see the country is getting around us, we definitely feel the love and support here from back home.”
Beach is one of seven players with Melbourne City connections representing Australia at the World Cup.
The others include club captain Aziz Behich, Mathew Leckie, Connor Metcalfe, Jordan Bos, Aiden O’Neill and Kai Trewin.
“You spend years developing players and hope they make a World Cup squad,” said Melbourne City chief executive Brad Rowse.
“Having a beach renamed after one of them wasn’t something we’d planned for, but we’re happy to take it.”
Socceroos full of belief for next stage | 05:19
AUSSIE DUO RULED OUT OF WORLD CUP
Injured Australian pair Mathew Leckie and Jacob Italiano were ruled out of the World Cup Friday ahead of their last-32 clash with Egypt, leaving the Socceroos to complete the tournament with 24 players.
Striker Leckie, at a fourth World Cup, hurt his hamstring in the Socceroos’ 2-0 Group D loss to the United States and did not feature in their 0-0 draw with Paraguay on Thursday.
Right-back Italiano played against Turkey and the United States but injured his groin in training and also missed the Paraguay clash.
“Jacob Italiano and Mathew Leckie will unfortunately miss the remainder of the World Cup through injury,” the Socceroos said in a statement.
“Everyone at Football Australia and the Socceroos would like to wish Jacob and Mathew all the best in their recovery and thank them for their contributions during the campaign.”
Their absence is a blow to coach Tony Popovic, whose team face Mohamed Salah’s Egypt in Dallas on July 3 in a bid to reach the last 16.
“I’m gutted for him,” said Australia defender Aziz Behich of Melbourne City teammate Leckie, who overcame an injury-wrecked season to make the tournament.
“But it’s all part of football. He wished us all well and he said he’ll be following us. He’s given everything to be here and help us.”
Behich, who impressed as left wing-back against Paraguay, said confidence was high heading into the all-or-nothing Egypt showdown.
“We know what we wanted to accomplish, and the first step was getting out of the group stages,” he told reporters.
“We’ve managed to do that.
“Now it’s game by game. It’s knockout football. It’s a lot different to what it was. But the boys know that and we’re full of energy and excitement.”