Injury problems mount for Egypt before Arab Cup semi-final

Ahram Online , Saturday 11 Dec 2021

Egypt's injury problems were further compounded after two key players were injured in Saturday's 3-1 comeback win over Jordan after extra time in the FIFA Arab Cup quarter-final in Qatar.

Mohamed El-Shennawi
Egypt s goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shennawi receives treatment on the pitch during the FIFA Arab Cup 2021 quarter final football match between Egypt and Jordan at the Al-Janoub Stadium in the Qatari city of Al-Wakrah on December 11, 2021 (AFP)

Defensive midfielder Hamdi Fathi, one of Egypt's standout performers in the tournament, was taken off in the second half after sustaining a hamstring muscle strain.

Goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shennawi was also hurt, clutching his thigh towards the end although he carried on until the end of the 120-minute contest.

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) said both will undergo scans to determine whether they will be available for Wednesday's semi-final clash against North African rivals Tunisia.

Egypt had already missed defenders Ahmed Hegazi and Ayman Ashraf against Jordan due to injuries.

However, Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz said Egypt are capable of making up for the absences when they take on Tunisia.

"We have plenty of injuries and our options are now limited, but we will find solutions for the coming game," he told the post-match news conference.

Queioz also hailed his players' fightback against Jordan despite admitting that they had committed many errors.

"The players will not learn if they don't make mistakes … Jordan's team caused us problems but we gradually plugged the gaps and showed our character," he added.

"Jordan started very well and deserved to go ahead, but our comeback was great."

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