Salah Left on Bench in Uruguay Match to Ensure He Plays Against Russia - Coach

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Egypt's star striker Mohamed Salah was left on the bench during the team's 1-0 defeat by Uruguay in their first match at the 2018 FIFA World Cup to ensure that he plays against Russia in their next match, Egypt head coach Hector Cuper said Friday.
Sputnik

On Thursday, Cuper said that Salah, who had injured his shoulder in the Champions League final on May 26, was almost certain to play against Uruguay if nothing unexpected happened.

"When there are doubts left that something can happen to him on the pitch, that something could lead to an injury, we don't let him play. Today we decided not to field him so that we can be guaranteed he will play in the match against the Russian national team," Cuper told journalists.

​Egypt will play Russia in St. Petersburg on Tuesday.

Discuss