SAINT PETERSBURG, June 18 (Xinhua) -- While Egypt is preparing to play its World Cup group match against host Russia, coach Cuper Hector told the press here on Monday that he hoped that Salah would be able to play.
"Mohamed Salah is one of the best players and among the top 10 in the world ... Hopefully tomorrow he will make it," said the 62-year-old Argentinian tactician.
Russia 2018 marks Egypt's first World Cup since Italy 1990. In its first match the Pharaohs lost to Uruguay 1-0.
Hector said that they had physical tests before the matches and he hoped this time Salah could be fit enough to pass the test. "He is central piece in our team," he said.
Salah, who scored 44 goals in all competitions for Liverpool last season and netted 70 percent of all Egypt's goals in qualifying, was unable to play in the first match due to his shoulder injury from Liverpool's Champions League final loss to Real Madrid on May 26.
"We know how difficult the next match is," he added. "We have already chosen our path forward, and we will go all out to win the next three points...The more you increase the level of competition, the more demanding the test is. We have our style."
Also attending the press conference was Egypt goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary. At 45, he is World Cup's oldest player.
Talking about the football used for the World Cup this time, which has drawn criticism, he admitted: "the football might be more acceptable to players than to goalkeepers." "Yes the ball has some problems, but we are not the only team to face it. All the goalkeepers face it. As a goalkeeper we have to be ready, whatever the quality of the ball and whatever shape it is."
In Group A along with Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Russia, Egypt will face the host on Tuesday evening, after Russia started with a stunning 5-0 rout of Saudi Arabia in the opening match, a result believed to be the biggest win by a host in the World Cup opening game since 1934.
