Egypt Coach Hossam Hassan: Feared No Team, Ready for Australia in World Cup Round of 16

June 27, 2024 — In the final group stage match of the World Cup, Egypt drew 1-1 with Iran, securing second place in the group and advancing to the knockout stage. Head coach Hossam Hassan addressed the media in a post-match press conference.

On Securing Second Place in the Group

Reporter: Congratulations on making history again by leading the team to the knockout stage, finishing second in the group. We even came close to finishing first, which many previously could not have imagined. Before the match, people discussed scenarios: finishing first would mean facing one opponent, second another. Many said the best script would be to face Australia, and that script has now come true. Was that on your mind, or were you focused only on winning and aiming for first place?

Hossam Hassan: First of all, thanks to God for advancing, and for doing so with dignity, without losing. We came very close to finishing first, missing out only by goal difference. This group had very strong teams — Belgium, New Zealand, and Iran. I said before that this group was not easy; many kept calling it easy, but I believe reaching the second round is an honor for us and brings joy to our fans.

I want to tell Egyptian, Arab, and African fans: thanks to God, and a big thank you to my players. They truly wanted to make everyone happy, especially Egyptians worldwide, fans back home, and those supporting us in the stadium. Advancing — just one goal short of being second — is deserved for Egypt and for the immense efforts of my players across three matches.

As for me, I did not think about who we would face next. I said in the last press conference that I do not consider opponents. I am ready for anyone. Against any team in the world, I am prepared. The team has been improving over the past two years. We respect every opponent but fear no one. We must play the football that Egypt and its people expect, to give Egypt a strong national team.

Regardless of the outcome, we fear no one. We will play the dignified football you have seen. Today, if not for the injuries on the field — especially Fathy's injury late on — we were down to ten men for about 25 minutes in the final part of the second half, including stoppage time. I am very grateful to the players. Before the injury, we were very close to winning through our chances, and every player fulfilled their duty.

Whoever we face next, we respect them. But we also have the right to fight for a place in the later stages.

On the Team's Attacking Performance

Reporter: From around the 60th minute, or after Mohamed Salah went off, we sensed you might have been leaning toward securing a draw to finish second and face Australia. We did not see the attacking efficiency we saw against New Zealand and in the first match against Belgium. Can you explain why the attacking performance was not as strong today?

Hossam Hassan: I think you might have missed it. Whether Salah was on the field or after he got injured, we were the better side until Fathy's injury. So I think your view is inaccurate, though I respect your opinion. We controlled the game until Fathy got hurt.

When Salah was on the field, and after he left, we were closer to winning. Thanks to God, we did everything in football. In contrast, other teams that had already secured qualification — whether first, second, or third — might have sat back. But we kept attacking until the very end, even after Fathy's injury, we continued trying.

Only in the last five or six minutes were we short-handed. Iran is a respectable team, but their play largely involved long balls, aerial duels for second balls, and strong physical play — somewhat intense. But they are a team worthy of respect, and I wish them luck. We attacked until the last moment, wanting to win until the end.

I did not think about who we would face next. Whether it is Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Belgium, or any team, we will face them and study them. Teams that reach the second round of the World Cup are strong and deserve to be there. So we are up against strong teams regardless.

I also want to say: some Egyptians might have said we beat Ivory Coast, South Africa, and Cape Verde two months ago. But these strong teams have now all advanced to the second round. Cape Verde, before I took over, nearly eliminated us in the Africa Cup. At that time, I was not in charge, they used a second-string lineup, and we did not beat them. But later, in both official matches and friendlies — including the last one in the UAE — we won. I am just reminding everyone that, thanks to God, we have been on the right path, and I hope things get better.

On Injuries and Preparation for Australia

Reporter: Congratulations on Egypt's advancement. Egypt kept three group-stage matches unbeaten for the first time in a World Cup. We would like to know about the many injuries today, including Ahmed Fathy, Mohamed Salah, and Mohamed Abdel Monem. Was it due to travel fatigue or Iran's rough play? Egypt will face Australia, a strong, fast team that has performed well in this tournament. Is Egypt ready? Also, you have been based in Spokane, then played in Vancouver, now Seattle, and next Dallas — four cities. Will frequent travel affect the team? The next match is at noon in Dallas, in hot weather — will that be tough for Egypt?

Hossam Hassan: We are prepared for everything. In football, anything can happen — injuries, suspensions. Regarding Mohanad's second yellow card, I hope it gets rescinded because I do not think it deserved a card. In the second round, yellow cards are cleared, but this is his second. Regardless, if he cannot play, we hope he could.

The injuries to Salah, Fathy, Abdel Monem, and earlier Hamdy Fathy and Hossam Abdel Magid. Per FIFA protocol, Hossam had a facial impact and could not play today. I hope Hamdy Fathy returns for the next match, and Hossam too. But these injuries are significant. If Mohanad is suspended, that is also a big blow.

But I want to tell Egyptians and everyone: if the Egyptian team stops because of missing players, I should not be coaching the national team. I have 26 players, all ready, and I trust them. I will use every available player and hope the injured return. At the same time, I will not sit with my hands on my cheeks saying we cannot do it because of shortages. Because I have real men, players I trust. They all know our work and are improving.

I also hope someone asks positive questions. Like Zizo, who has performed well in friendlies and official matches when he plays; today Sabel came on and contributed. Look at these positives. Thanks to God, our choices have been good, and I hope all players meet expectations.

On the Disallowed Iran Goal and Emotional Response

Reporter: I want to say something positive. First, thank you, Coach Ibrahim, the entire coaching staff, and the players for leading Egypt to a historic qualification for the 32-team format — let us not forget that. Also, an important detail: after Iran's disallowed goal, we saw you protest first from the stands, claiming a foul on an Iranian player. After the goal was disallowed, you knelt in prostration. We want to know your feelings before and after that decision.

Hossam Hassan: At the time, I thought there was offside and also a collision with Mustafa. My coaching staff and I saw it clearly from outside, believing both offside and a foul occurred. So I was certain then.

I knelt to thank God. I do not like losing, and we wanted to do something honorable for Egyptian football. We advanced unbeaten. I also want to say: we were one of the few teams that practically secured qualification after the first two matches — do not forget that. Before today's match, we had already qualified, whether second or third. And looking at the standings before the game, we were top.

So I thank God for everything. When that goal was disallowed, I was, of course, happy. Not for any other reason, but because I did not want to lose, and I did not want football to punish us. Thanks to God, we were not punished in the end.

As you said, I hope Egypt does not lose. So I thank God for having that goal disallowed.

Update on Mohamed Salah's Injury

Reporter: Please talk about Salah's injury.

Hossam Hassan: The doctors will continue to report on Salah, Fathy, and Abdel Monem's injuries. When we return to the hotel, they will give us a report and conduct further checks. But I spoke with Salah, and his injury does not seem serious — hopefully it will not keep him out long. We still have time, and the medical team will help him recover. Based on my conversation with Salah, I am relatively reassured; it should not drag on.

Hassan's Message to the Egyptian People

Reporter: In the first press conference, you were asked what message you had for the Egyptian people. You said, "We'll do things that make you proud." Now, we are indeed proud of the team's performance, and we thank you and your staff. With the group stage behind us, what is Hossam Hassan's ambition? What do you want to say to the Egyptian people?

Hossam Hassan: As the Egyptian people and fans always know, we will do everything possible. I keep saying this: we will do our part and then rely on God. I have a group of players, and I want to tell everyone: Egyptian players are real men. I thank them for their efforts, and please reassure the fans: we have reached the second round, everyone is ready, and all want to make the fans happy.

My promise to the fans is: we will not slack off until the last moment. Victory or defeat is God's will, but we will not be negligent.

On Team Selection and Taking Risks

Reporter: First, congratulations to you and to us for advancing. You are the first Egyptian coach to win a World Cup match for Egypt and the first to lead Egypt to the knockout stage. When the starting lineup was announced today, there were three or four changes, including starting Mahmoud Sabel, who scored. There were similar debates around Zizo earlier. When you discover and use these players for Egypt, are you not worried about taking these risks?

Hossam Hassan: Thanks to God, I am not worried because I trust my choices. My players are not dictated to me by others, with someone saying, "Pick this one." My coaching staff and I observe players, choose based on conscience, regardless of their club, where they play, age, or other factors. I pick those I believe suit my approach and work style.

Every coach chooses players they trust. Some players, if not noticed, might never enter the national team even until retirement. But I follow them long-term. The advantage is that if you are in the Egyptian football and league environment, you know the abilities of these players and which ones, even without international experience, have the qualities to adapt to international matches and suit the national team.

So I am not worried. Even if I change four players, half the team, I will not worry. The next match might also see half the team changed due to injuries or suspensions, and I have no issue. Today, when Sabel came on, even though we did not know how we would qualify, I remained confident based on my trust in my choices, in Sabel, in Zizo from before, and in the whole team.

Whether veterans, young players, stars, or newcomers, everyone is ready and carries great responsibility. I trust their selection and their performance. Sabel will be an important addition in the future. I have said before that for 2025, 2026, and beyond, we must plan for the future of Egyptian football.

Source: YouTube