Egypt's Mohamed Salah (right) takes part in a training session with teammates.
Doha, Qatar: History will be made in Dallas today. When Australia and Egypt meet in the Round of 32, one nation will celebrate a milestone never achieved before, a first-ever knockout victory at the FIFA World Cup.
Both teams have already made history, and now they have the chance to make even more.
Egypt arrive with confidence after making history in the group stage. The Pharaohs claimed their first-ever World Cup victory with a 3-1 win over New Zealand before finishing second in their group to reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time. Hossam Hassan’s side remained unbeaten through the group phase and now believe they can extend their remarkable run.
“We’re proud to have gone unbeaten in the group stage, even though it was tough. I’d like to thank my players because they’ve brought immense joy to our fans. We’re ready to face anyone. We’re capable of playing our brand of football and adapting while respecting every opponent,” Hassan said.
Australia’s players take part in a training session. (PICS: AFP)
Australia’s journey has been equally impressive. The Socceroos also progressed as the second place team from their group to reach back-to-back World Cup knockout stages, but Tony Popovic’s side now have the chance to achieve something no Australian team has managed before: win a knockout match at the World Cup.
Australia midfielder Jackson Irvine said, “To finish second in our group is a massive achievement. It’s something we can take great pride in. Now we want to become the first Australia team to win a knockout match at a World Cup.”
Australia will have to cope without Jacob Italiano and Mathew Leckie after both were ruled out for the remainder of the tournament through injury, reducing Popovic’s options as the competition enters its decisive stage.
The biggest question for Egypt surrounds Mohamed Salah. The former Liverpool star was substituted against Iran after suffering a hamstring problem and has been undergoing intensive treatment in the hope of being fit for the clash. Whether fully fit or not, Salah remains the player capable of changing a game in an instant.
He is not Egypt’s only threat. Omar Marmoush has provided pace and movement in attack, while midfielder Hamdy Fathy has brought balance in the middle of the park, as the Pharaohs built their unbeaten group-stage campaign.
Australia, meanwhile, will once again rely on captain Jackson Irvine to dictate the tempo in midfield, while Harry Souttar’s aerial presence and defensive strength will be vital against Egypt’s attack.
Both sides have built their success on defensive discipline, so mistakes and moments of individual brilliance could prove decisive in Dallas.
There is little history between the two nations. Their only previous senior meeting came in a friendly in Cairo in 2010, when Egypt ran out 3-0 winners. Today’s encounter will be their first competitive meeting and their first on the World Cup stage. The reward for the winners is a Round of 16 meeting with either defending champions Argentina or tournament debutants Cape Verde.
For Egypt, victory would extend the finest World Cup campaign in the nation’s history and strengthen belief that the Pharaohs can compete with the best teams in the world.
For Australia, it represents another chance to break through a barrier that has stood since their first appearance at the tournament.
By the end of the night in Dallas, one nation will have written a new chapter in its football history. The other will leave wondering how close it came.
