Former Egyptian head coach: “ The Greens could create problems for the Pharaohs”

The former Egyptian head coach and current Saudi club “Al Hezm” coach Mohssein Salah has given a wide-ranging interview to Echourok” in which he related his sad experience with the Egyptian team during the 2004 African Cup of Nations tournament in Tunisia where he was ousted early in the competition by the “Greens”.

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• Q: Have you attended the match that opposed the Egyptians to the Tanzanians?
• A: I’m quite surprised to your contact, because my visit here was kept secret for personal reasons and will last 24 hours and has nothing to do with the upcoming match between Egypt and Algeria.
• Q: But the match must certainly be important for you?
• A: The match will be the attraction for the whole Egyptian people and the Algerian one, I would say that it will excite the curiosity of football lovers all around the world because the match will be crucial for both sides since it will designate the squad which will; participate to the world cup competition.
• Q: Before talking about the match, let’s talk about the one that took place in 2004 when you were the head coach, what can you say?
• A: Indeed, the match was extremely thrilling and we have dominated the Algeria squad at that time, but unfortunately the chance was at your side after the goal scored by Hocine Achiou.
• Q: Do you think that the upcoming match will have the same standards?
• A: The matches that opposed Egypt to Algeria have always been special, but the next one will be crucial since it will designate the squad that will participate in the world cup, and I expect that some events could happen.
• Q: Which kind of events captain Hassen?
• A: The match will be tense either on the players or the coaches alike frictions could happen between the players, I would say that the side that keep calm will win the battle on the pitch.
•   Q: According to your analysis there will not be too much goals?
• A: the outcome of the first half will determine the final result, if the Egyptians succeed to score a goal right at the beginning of the match, it will be easier for them to score other goals, but if the Algerians resist it would be very hard for the Egyptians to catch up the goals’ difference.
• Q: The “Pharaohs” have trounced the Tanzanian side by 5 goals; do you think that things will be the same with Algeria?
• A: Any win is important for the players regardless of the circumstances; the large score secured in the friendly versus Tanzania is for the team’s spirit, though things will dissimilar next Saturday versus Algeria.
• Q: What can you say about the Algeria squad?
• A: I think that the “Greens “posses top class players who play in different European clubs, they form a good group and I believe that they can create problems for the Egyptians.
• Q: The FIFA has designated a South African referee; do you believe that an African referee is appropriate for such matches?
• A: The referee is doomed to do his utmost regardless of his nationality because he is supervised by a lot of people; moreover he’s nominated to take part in the next World Cup. This will prompt him to concentrate harder.