Egypt's soccer coach, Hossam Hassan, dedicated the team's victory over Australia Friday night to the Palestinian people after Egypt made history by advancing to the FIFA World Cup 16th round for the first time, defeating Australia 4-2 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes.
After the match, coach Hossam Hassan raised the Palestinian flag and dedicated the victory to the Palestinian people.
“My heart and soul are with them,” Hassan said afterward. “May God have mercy on their martyrs. I dedicate this victory to the Egyptian people and to the Palestinian people, the good and noble people.”
Egypt’s players celebrated the historic achievement by kneeling on the field in a prayer of thanks after winning a World Cup knockout match for the first time. Hassan, who appeared deeply emotional, said it was a major moment for Egyptian soccer, but also turned attention to Gazans and Palestinians, who celebrated the victory across the Arab world.
Videos from the Gaza Strip circulated on social media showing fans watching the match among the ruins of buildings and in tent camps. Some were seen waving Egyptian flags, while children had their faces painted in the colors of the Egyptian flag.
Team captain Mohamed Salah enjoys the team's historic achievement
Mohamed Salah, captain of Egypt’s national team, also spoke after the match about the atmosphere in the team camp and his relationship with Hassan.
Asked what had changed under Hassan, Salah smiled and replied, “He beats us at halftime.”
He then added seriously, “I don’t think there is a big difference. Maybe the players will give their opinion about the camp, but as far as I’m concerned, I’ve matured and moved past that stage.”
Salah also discussed his role with the national team and his responsibility toward his teammates.
“I know my value, and the national team sees how others treat me. I try to help the players and create a comfortable atmosphere for them, and that is what matters. This is a historic moment. I told the guys this was the game of our lives and that we had to enjoy every moment. I am so happy we made history with this team," Salah said
The Egypt captain also explained the bold Panenka penalty he took in the shootout against Australia.
“If someone had to do it, it was me. I have more experience than the others, and I wanted to give them confidence. I decided to do it at the very last split second. I had to do it.”
'Mohamed Salah deserves a statue'
“Mohamed Salah deserves a statue. He is unquestionable, in every sense of the word,” former Aston Villa and Egypt defender Ahmed Elmohamady said in an interview with beIN Sports.
“What Salah has done is extraordinary. Forget for a moment everything he has done at Liverpool, we all already know that. But with the Egyptian national team, when he is leading it in the biggest World Cup in the history of Egyptian soccer, he deserves all the respect in the world. Look at what he went through today on the pitch. Look at the sprints, the attacks. He pushed himself even though he was injured and did an excellent job throughout the entire match. He did everything today, and capped it with the penalty kick. In my opinion, it is one of his best penalties. To do a Panenka at a moment like that requires a great player with strong character, and he definitely has that kind of character.”
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi also congratulated the team.
“I congratulate the sons of Egypt, the heroes of our national soccer team, on the historic achievement of qualifying for the round of 16 of the World Cup, for the first time in the team’s history,” el-Sisi said in a statement.
“You proved that faith in your abilities, competing with team spirit and determination to win are the keys to achieving great accomplishments,” he added.
After one of the greatest nights in its history, Egypt will now advance to the round of 16, where it will face Argentina, the reigning world champion, in a particularly intriguing matchup.