The Egyptian Football Association has confirmed their squad was denied permission to fly to Seattle from Vancouver after their win over New Zealand.
The Pharaohs made history on Sunday morning as they recorded their first-ever World Cup victory, with Mohamed Salah getting on the scoresheet in the 3-1 win.
5
Following the match against the Kiwis, Egypt had submitted a request to stay in Seattle to continue their preparations.
However, this was then denied by local security officials, meaning the seven-time African champions were forced to change course and return to their current training base in Spokane, Washington.
Egypt’s statement
The Egyptian FA later issued a statement explaining the disruption to their schedule.
In a statement released by the Egypt FA, national team boss Hossam Hossan said: “The security authorities refused the team’s request to stay in the city of Seattle as planned after the New Zealand match in the World Cup, and therefore the team’s delegation will return to the city of Spokane.
“The team had wanted to travel directly to Seattle to preserve the players from travel fatigue due to the numerous trips in preparation for the Iran match on June 26, but following the security stance, the Egypt national team delegation will return to Spokane.”
Egpyt had planned to stay in Seattle to avoid unnecessary travel following their second group game.
This would allow them more time to prepare for their crucial final Group G game against Iran on Saturday.
Following their victory over New Zealand, Egypt sit top of their group on four points, and can secure this with a win in their last game, while a draw may also be enough.
However, their preparations have now been dealt a curveball, having been forced to return to Washington to resume training, before settling on an alternative date to fly to Kansas for their next match.
Egypt’s next opponents have plenty of experience of having their travel disrupted.
5
5
Despite playing all of their group games in the USA, Iran have been forced to train in Tijuana, Mexico.
They were made to take this decision after conflict broke out between the Middle Eastern nation and the World Cup hosts.
As a result, they have been forced to travel to Los Angeles on match days for their fixtures against New Zealand and Belgium, before immediately flying back to their base once the final whistle blows.
This has prompted their manager Amir Ghalenoei to voice his frustrations, insisting his side’s training preparations are being unfairly impacted by the travel restrictions, who have admirably claimed two draws in their opening games.
Salah shines in historic game
Egypt’s travel was disrupted immediately after they enjoyed a landmark first World Cup win against New Zealand.
After falling 1-0 down in the first half to Finn Surman’s strike, Mostafa Ziko equalised for the Pharaohs just before the hour mark.
5
And it was then over to Liverpool icon Salah to steal the show, who put Egypt in front in remarkable circumstances.
The newly unattached star found the net in the 67th minute, as New Zealand briefly found themselves down to 10 men due to a bizarre wardrobe malfunction.
All Whites midfielder Ben Old went to ground following a challenge from Yasser Ibrahim on the edge of Egypt‘s box.
After going to ground, Ibrahim inadvertently stepped on his crotch – resulting in Old’s shorts being ripped.
He was forced to make his way to the sidelines as a new pair had to be fetched from the dressing room before the 23-year-old was allowed to return to action.
In that time, Egypt instantly capitalised on having an extra man as the ball was fed to Salah, who played a one-two with Mostafa Ziko, before tucking home into the back of the net.
5
The 34-year-old then turned provider in the 82nd minute for Trezeguet, who wrapped up a 3-1 win to take his side to the top of Group G.
As for Salah, his latest strike was his first since he bid an emotional farewell to Liverpool at the end of the Premier League season in May.
Meanwhile with his second half goal, the forward, who is on the lookout for a new team, has become Egypt’s outright leading top scorer at the World Cup with three strikes.
He also now needs just one more on the international stage to equal boss Hossam Hassan’s record of 69 goals for the Pharaohs.
Salah has also become Egypt’s oldest scorer at the World Cup at 34 years and seven days – surpassing previous record holder Magdi Abdelghani who was 30 years and 320 days old when he scored against the Netherlands in 1990.
Meanwhile, he is also now the oldest African to both score and assist in the same World Cup match since records began in 1966.
