No Salah, no joy for Egypt

– Mohamed Salah drew a roar every time his image was flashed on the big screen during Egypt’s 1-0 late World Cup loss to Uruguay but the talismanic striker stayed on the bench yesterday because his coach did not want to risk him.

Despite Hector Cuper declaring beforehand that Salah would “100 percent” play a part in the Group A match, the African Footballer-of-the-Year was an unused substitute on his birthday.

Salah, who turned 26 yesterday, had been racing against time to recover from the ligament injury suffered in the Champions League final last month, when he went off early after falling on his shoulder as Liverpool lost to Real Madrid.

Cuper said doubt after Salah’s first game crept back in after Thursday’s training session at the match venue on the eve of Egypt’s first game at the finals since 1990.

“Yesterday we were certain he was alright. At the end of the training session we examined him and there was some doubt if he fell or was hit by another player, he might get hurt again and we wanted to avoid a risk today,” the coach explained.

Asked whether Salah might play in Egypt’s next game against hosts Russia in St Petersburg on Tuesday, Cuper added: “Let’s first try to talk about the Uruguay match. Tomorrow we can start thinking about Russia. As for Salah, it is probable that he will play. He didn’t play because we wanted to avoid risks. He will be fine for the next match.”

Without the pace of the top scorer in the Premier League this season, Egypt offered little on the attack and eventually gave up a late goal to continue their winless World Cup finals record.

Jose Gimenez scored with a thunderous 89th minute header that broke a 48-year Uruguayan “curse” of failing to win their opening game at World Cup finals.

“In the history of football we have broken a spell,” said Uruguayan coach Oscar Tabarez. – Reuters

Also see Pages 38 to 41

Yekaterinburg