Salah is fit for Russia clash: Cuper

CAIRO – 19 June 2018: Egypt national team manager, Hector Cuper, revealed on Monday that Mohamed Salah is ready to play against the host nation, Russia, at their second game of the World Cup on Tuesday.

“Salah is fit; I think he will fit as he is an essential part of our team. I am optimistic,” Cuper spoke during the pre-game press conference.

المؤتمر الصحفي للمدير الفني #الفراعنة و كابتن المنتخب @ElHadary لمباراة الغد أمام #RUS#ThePharaohs pic.twitter.com/IRnJmVpyD7

— Egypt National Football Team (@Pharaohs) June 18, 2018

Salah missed the first game against Uruguay and he watched Egypt's 1-0 loss from the bench.

Cuper added: “In the previous match, we thought he was fit but we always carry out a final test on our players and we will do the same against Russia. I hope he will be fully fit to play.”

Salah participated at Egypt’s last training session in Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg, where they will face Russia.

التدريب الأخير لمنتخبنا علي ملعب المباراة في مدينة " سانت بطرسبرج " الساعة 7:30 مساءا #egy #ThePharaohs#WorldCup#Russia2018 pic.twitter.com/UpKfTjx2du

— Egypt National Football Team (@Pharaohs) June 18, 2018

Egypt hopes to achieve their first victory in the history of the World Cup as Egypt played five games; lost three and two games ended with a draw.

Egypt needs to defeat Russia to keep their chances to reach the second round.

“We know how difficult this next match is; 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,” Cuper added.

📷#egy 0 - 1 #uru#ThePharaohs#EGYURU pic.twitter.com/XwTKLFybFI

— Egypt National Football Team (@Pharaohs) June 15, 2018

Russia leads the group with three points after defeating Saudi Arabia 5-0 while Egypt shares the last place with Saudi Arabia after losing 1-0 to Uruguay.