Egypt's midfielder Mahmoud 'Kahraba' Abdel-Moneim controls the ball during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group A football match between Egypt and Uruguay at the Ekaterinburg Arena in Ekaterinburg (Photo: AFP)
Egypt are determined to get over their last-gasp defeat against Uruguay and beat Russia and Saudi Arabia in their next Group A games at the World Cup, winger Mahmoud Kahraba said on Saturday.
Kahraba came on as a 63rd-minute substitute and injected zeal into a sluggish attack, although Egypt could not create genuine goal-scoring opportunities.
The Pharaohs defended in numbers and looked close to securing a famous draw, only to concede a 90th-minute header from Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenez which gave Uruguay an opening victory in Group A.
With Russia hammering Saudi Arabia 5-0 to top their group, Egypt practically have no choice but to overcome the hosts and the Arab Gulf side to advance to the round of 16.
They meet Russia on Tuesday before concluding their group against Saudi Arabia on 25 June.
"We are now fully focused on the match against Russia. We will not be satisfied with anything but wins against Russia and Saudi Arabia," Zamalek winger Kahraba, who spent last season on loan at Jeddah-based club Ittihad, told reporters.
"Our game against Russia will be difficult of course but we will fight to win and keep alive our hopes of going through."
Egypt are making their first World Cup appearance since 1990 when they suffered a first-round exit after draws with Netherlands and Ireland and a loss to England.
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