Egypt looks for 1st World Cup victory in game against Russia

CAIRO – 19 June 2018: Egypt faces the hosts, Russia, at their second game of the 2018 World Cup in Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg.
The Egyptian team is searching for their first point at this tournament as they lost the opening game 1-0 to Uruguay and their first victory at the World Cup in their third participation. Egypt played five games; lost three, and ended two games with a draw.

Egypt's biggest star, Mohamed Salah, is expected to start the game, according to the Egyptian team's manager, Hector Cuper’s statements at 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 participated in Egypt’s last training session in Krestovsky Stadium and he will undergo a final test to assure his availability for the game.

لقطات من التدريب الرئيسي لمنتخب مصر 💪💪#الفراعنة #RUSEGY#ThePharaohs pic.twitter.com/wq6dAlCSEz

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

“We have already chosen our path forward, and we will go all out to win the next three points,” Cuper said ahead of the game.

Cuper’s expected line-up for the game consists of: Mohamed el-Shenawy, Ahmed Fathi, Ali Gabr, Ahmedd Hegazi, Mohamed Abdel Shafy,Tarek Hamed, Mohamed el neny, Mahmoud Trezeguet, Abdullah el-Said, Amr Warda and Mohamed Salah.

مباراة اليوم ! ⚽️😊#مصر - #روسيا
🕗 ٨:٠٠ بتوقيت القاهرة #الفراعنة #روسيا_مصر #روسيا2018 pic.twitter.com/Fkg5EZ1XJJ

— Egypt National Football Team (@Pharaohs) June 19, 2018

The Russians achieved a stunning 5-0 victory over Saudi Arabia at the opening game of the World Cup. Russian winger, Denis Cheryshev, scored twice at the game to secure his team’s victory.

Russian manager, Stanislav Cherchesov’s expected line-up for the game consists of: Igor Akinfeev; Mario Fernandes, Ilya Kutepov, Sergey Ignashevich,Yury Gazinsky, Yuri Zhirkov; Roman Zobnin, Daler Kuzyaev, Denis Cheryshev, Aleksandr Samedov, Aleksandr Golovin and Fedor Smolov.

Russia needs to defeat Egypt to secure their qualification to the second round, while the Egyptian team needs to defeat Russia to keep their chances to reach the second round.