Suarez : Still lots to do
Luis Suarez wants to rewrite history for Uruguay. After his goal in the 3-0 win over Russia helped Oscar Tabarez’s side to a third successive group-stage win at a World Cup for the first time in the tournament’s current format. Suarez is pleased with his personal achievements.But his priority is to ensure Uruguay set new records.
“It’s what we wanted, to keep going throughout the World Cup,” he said. “Records are there to be broken. Personally, I am very pleased to move forward and reach my goals with the team and continue making history. “After winning two matches 1-0, the best thing to do today was having done even better. I am happy we won and finish top of the group and make history again, because this is the first time Uruguay have won three (group) matches in a row in a World Cup and were top of the group. All of this is history.”
Salah apologises to fans
Egypt star Mohamed Salah has apologised to fans. After seeing his nation eliminated from the World Cup without a single point.
Salah went into the Russia finals with doubts over his fitness after injuring his shoulder in a clash with Sergio Ramos during Liverpool’s Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid in May. The Liverpool forward missed out on a narrow opening defeat to Uruguay. He scored a penalty in his World Cup debut as Egypt lost out to Russia in a 1-3 reverse.
The Africans’ misery continued in Group A’s dead rubber on Monday. Salah’s early goal overturned by Saudi Arabia to seal a record of three losses in as many games. The Liverpool forward wasted a golden opportunity to double the lead. It gave Saudi Arabia the chance to claw their way back into the game. Saudi Arabia won by a 95th-minute winner by midfielder Salem Al-Dawsari. The win was Saudis first World Cup victory since 1994.
The latest defeat led to angry scenes in the Egypt dressing room after full time
An irritated Salah alleged to have been the first to board the team bus. But Salah has vowed to return to international football’s biggest stage. As he begged disappointed Egypt fans for forgiveness.
“We want to apologise to all the Egyptian fans who came to support us here in the three matches, I know it is difficult for them, like us,” the 26year-old stated.
“I just want to say that Egypt reached the World Cup after 28 years, some players here do not have the required experience. Thanks to all of them and we will back again in 2022.” This World Cup marked the first time that the Pharoahs had reached the finals since 1990. It marked their first appearance since the second tournament back in 1934. Egypt are still waiting for their maiden win at the finals. They have drawn two and lost five of their World Cup games to date.
Coach Hector Cuper denied the rumours. The rumours suggested that Salah would leave the Egypt national team after the 1-2 defeat to Arab rivals Saudi Arabia. Cuper didn’t comment on why his star player hadn’t turned up to the scheduled press conference.
Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary had marked his record-breaking appearance as the oldest player to play at a World Cup at 45 years of age with a spectacular save from a penalty..
