Queiroz: We should be proud of the players

CAIRO-26 March 2022: Carlos Queiroz, Egypt national team head coach, praised the fighting spirit of his players against Senegal, adding that the tie is still open for everything despite the 1-0 lead of the Pharaohs after the first leg. 

Egypt had a fantastic defensive game but Queiroz's men were criticized for not being able to hold the ball and keep possession as the Pharaohs' main focus was securing a clean sheet. 

"We started very well and controlled the game. We scored a wonderful goal in the first half. They doubled their effort and tried to go forward and we needed to regroup to stop them. One of the most important things that happened to us was not conceding a goal." Queiroz said after the game. 

Queiroz believes that his players have done everything to secure an advantage in the second leg and he called on the fans to be proud of the players and to support them before the return leg in Senegal. 

"Our players deserved to win the game. Today we saw some of the bravest Egyptian men on the pitch. You should be proud of the players. Now we need to use our intelligence to be able to take the team to the World Cup." The head coach added. 

Egypt will face Senegal on Tuesday at the newly-built stadium in Diamniadio, which is expected to be packed with more than 50,000 local fans.