Bright future awaits Egypt's youngsters despite World Cup exit

Egypt's U-20 players showcase undoubted talent despite Tuesday's World Cup exit at the hands of six-time winners Argentina, boding well for the fallen senior team

Egypt suffered a last-16 exit at the U-20 World Cup in Colombia after slumping to a 2-1 loss to Argentina, but they can still take heart from some promising displays from their vital youngsters.
The pacey, skilful players fought bravely but ended up on the losing side thanks to two penalties from AS Roma's newly-signed midfielder Eric Lamela, including a controversial one that gave Argentina a first-half lead.
Egypt put Argentina on the back foot for the majority of the second half, laying siege to their more fancied opponents' area in a performance similar to the one they produced in the 1-1 draw with four-time champions Brazil in their first match.
The young Pharaohs bowed out at the last-16 stage for the second successive World Cup.
In the 2009 edition Egypt were eliminated on home soil after a hugely-disappointing 2-0 defeat by Costa Rica at Cairo Stadium but their 2011 successors exited the World Cup with their heads held high.
"I call on everybody to support this generation. If they want to attack someone, they should attack me not the players," Egypt coach Diaa El-Sayed said in a phone interview with Modern Sport after the game.
"Those players were not able to prepare well for the tournament because of the political turmoil in Egypt which resulted in the Premier League finishing later than initially scheduled.
"But still they played very well."
Crowd cheers
Egypt were constantly cheered by the crowd during their three group-stage matches as their free-flowing football and intricate passing game drew the admiration of many.
The likes of attacking midfielders Mohamed Ibrahim, Mohamed Salah and Omar Gaber unsettled opposing backlines with a series of neat passes and feints to rise to prominence and earn plaudits.
Ibrahim and Salah, who play for Zamalek and Arab Contractors respectivelyin the Egyptian Premier League, combined on numerous occasions to keep Brazil's defenders on their toes throughout their match.
“The Egyptians' performance was outstanding. They were very organised and some players, like Mohamed Ibrahim and Mohamed Salah, have a bright future ahead of them,” Brazil coach Ney Franco said after the match.
Salah was somewhat wasteful in front of goal as Ibrahim stole the limelight after scoring a hat-trick in the 4-0 drubbing of Austria which lifted Egypt to the knockout phase.
Egypt were also very solid at the back, with central defensive pair Ahmed Hegazy and Mohamed Abdel-Fattah keeping a close eye on strikers. The towering Hegazy headed home Egypt's winner in the 1-0 victory over Panama.
Right-back Ahmed Sobhi was also impressive, launching many raids down the flank and whipping in pinpoint crosses, with one of them setting up Gaber for the equalizer against Brazil.
The steady displays of goalkeeper Ahmed El-Shennawy further enhanced his reputation as Essam El-Hadary's successor, who is widely regarded as the best keeper in Egypt's history.
Senior team
The form of Egypt's youngsters should come as a boost to the national senior team, who have come in for fierce criticism after virtually having no chance to qualify for next year's African Cup of Nations finals in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
Egypt were branded an ageing team by some pundits, who suggested that the Pharaohs, winners of three consecutive Nations Cups between 2006 and 2010, needed wholesale changes to bring back the glory days.
They haven't qualified for the World Cup finals since 1990 and their hopes of ending that jinx at the 2014 tournament in Brazil could largely depend on whether the young players can live up to expectations when they face the tough challenge of playing football at the top level.
"More than six players from my team deserve to play with Egypt's senior team." commented El-Sayed, a mild-mannered coach with little experience.
"The main target of the youth teams is to provide players for the senior team."
Egypt's Olympic team could also benefit from the U-20 side as they are eager to qualify for next year's London Games following a 20-year absence.
Coach Hany Ramzy has already fielded the likes of Salah, Gaber, Ibrahim and Mohamed El-Nenni in his Olympic team in several matches as part of the London Games qualifiers.
"I'm proud of my players, whose mentality is great. They are the hope of this country," El-Sayed added.