Belgium game will be difficult in a highly competitive group, says Egypt’s coach

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Egypt’s ‌coach Hossam Hassan sees the opening match in the World Cup against Belgium as the most ​difficult game in the “highly competitive” group G._x000D_
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Egypt lost 2-1 to five-times champion Brazil in Cleveland on Sunday, in their final warm-up friendly ahead of their fourth appearance in the World Cup._x000D_
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Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes scored the opening goal early from inside ‌the box ‌and Lyon forward Endrick ​added ‌in ⁠the ​second half ⁠after an assist from Barcelona’s Raphinha. Zico scored for Egypt, while Skipper Mohamed Salah played the second half and seemed to be in good form._x000D_
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“Salah underwent a rehabilitation program with Liverpool and then with the ⁠national team, and he is ‌now ready for ‌matches,” Hassan told reporters._x000D_
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Seven-times African ​champions open their Group ‌G campaign against Belgium on June ‌15, before facing New Zealand and Iran._x000D_
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“The opening match against Belgium at the World Cup will be extremely difficult, and the group is strong ‌and highly competitive,” Hassan, who competed in the World Cup as ⁠a ⁠player in 1990, said._x000D_
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Hassan expressed his disappointment after losing to Brazil, but stressed that he was satisfied with the players’ performance despite the loss._x000D_
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“I do not like losing, and I am saddened by the defeat to Brazil, even though they are one of the biggest teams in the world,” he said. “We faced a strong ​and outstanding team in ​the final match before the World Cup.”