WORLD CUP FOCUS: Mohamed Salah satisfied with friendly matches despite two losses

Egypt's Mohammed Salah (C) and the team celebrate after scoring the 1:0 during the soccer friendly game Portugal against Egypt in the Letzigrund stadium in Zurich, Switzerland, 23 March 2018. EPA/MELANIE DUCHENE

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Friday Mar 30, 2018. 09:00

Egypt international striker Mohamed Salah has hailed their recent friendlies against Portugal and Greece as beneficial to their 2018 World Cup tournament preparations.

The Liverpool attacker was on the scoresheet against the Portuguese last Friday despite their 2-1 loss during the recent FIFA international break.

In their second international friendly they met Greece, but a second string team lost 1-0.

Speaking after the conclusion of the camp in Switzerland, Salah said it was a success.

Although he sat out the defeat to the Greeks as manager Hector Cuper experimented with new faces, he believes the Pharaohs greatly benefited from these games.

"The games were important; it was a good experience for us, everyone benefited from the friendlies," Salah told ONSport.

"The training camp was a good one; everyone played and the new players also played as well.”

The Pharaohs will open their World Cup campaign against Uruguay on June 15 before taking on hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia in Group A.