Egypt and Basel winger Mohamed Salah (photo: UEFA.com)
Basel's Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah has been widely praised after helping his side to secure a 2-2 away draw against Tottenham in the Europa League's quarter final on Thursday.
The 21-year-old put in a solid performance during Thursday's clash, having a hand in Basel's opening goal and spurning a golden opportunity to score a decisive winner when he broke clear after skipping past two challengers but blasted his shot over the bar.
The performance attracted the attention of Tottenham keeper Brad Friedel, who described him as “great.”
Basel's keeper also praised his teammate.
"Tottenham were barely capable of handling him," goalkeeper Yann Sommer was quoted as saying by UEFA's site.
The English media labelled the Egyptian forward a "ballerina" because of his way of tying up opponents.
But Salah's value will rise and career promoted if he could be more "clinical," according to Basel's coach.
"If Mohamed could score as well, he would not be here anymore," said Murat Yakin. "Or he would not have come here in the first place."
Basel's president Bernhard Heusler echoed similar sentiments, saying: "If he was more clinical, his value would have another zero."
From his part, the Egyptian forward is aware that he needs to develope his goal-scoring ability.
"Sometimes the ball just doesn't want to go in, no matter how often you try," concluded Salah, who has scored five league goals for Basel since joining last summer from Egypt's Arab Contractors.
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