Hossam Hassan dismisses Salah unrest talk ahead of Egypt-New Zealand game

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan on Sunday dismissed suggestions of unrest involving captain Mohamed Salah as his side prepared to face New Zealand at BC Place in Vancouver in their World Cup Group G match. Hassan said there were no problems inside the camp and described Salah as disciplined and a role model. Egypt go into the meeting with one point after a 1-1 draw with Belgium in their opener in Seattle.

Questions surfaced after that first match when Salah, 34, was substituted in the 76th minute. Hassan said the change was a technical decision taken for the benefit of the team and stressed that decisions are made with the national side’s interests in mind.

Hassan said all 26 players in the squad are important and insisted he does not have favourites. He added that Salah accepts technical decisions whether he starts or is taken off, and that the group remains aligned on its objectives.

Salah scored nine goals in Egypt’s qualification campaign and provided the assist for Emam Ashour in the draw with Belgium, Hassan said. He added that Salah has trained normally with the squad in Vancouver and said he expects a positive response in the next match.

Group G set-up and what is at stake in Vancouver

New Zealand also opened their campaign with a draw, finishing 2-2 with Iran in Los Angeles, leaving Group G finely poised after the first round of fixtures. With both teams level on points, Sunday’s meeting carries added importance in the early race for the knockout stage.

Hassan said Egypt want to convert the opening draw into three points and secure their first World Cup win. He said the team are aiming to represent Egyptian and African football well at the tournament.

Coach calls for focus as rumours swirl around star players

Hassan said rumours often circulate around high-profile players during major tournaments, but insisted his priority is preparation and performance. He repeated that his decisions are taken for the benefit of the national team and that the squad remains united.

Egypt and New Zealand are both targeting a first World Cup victory, and the result in Vancouver is expected to shape the balance of Group G before the remaining group fixtures.