Egypt manager Hector Cuper admitted being disappointed for conceding two last-gasp goals against Portugal, but acknowledged there were so many positives to take from his side's 2-1 friendly defeat by the 2016 Euro champions in Zurich. After taking the lead through Liverpool star Mohamed Salah in the 56th minute, two stoppage-time headers from Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo meant Egypt were undone in the dying minutes. "The disappointment is that we lost in the final minutes of the game, but we benefited much from this meeting," Cuper said in the post-match press conference. "It was a game against one of the best teams in the world; we needed to test ourselves against world-class teams. "We learnt from the game and will be looking forward to avoiding certain mistakes in the forthcoming period." Salah like Messi importance Talking about Salah, Cuper admitted the English Premier League top-scorer's importance for his side equals Messi's importance for Argentina, while hoping the Liverpool star would one day become the world's best player. "Yes Salah's importance to us is like Messi's importance to Argentina but there is a whole team behind Salah helping him shine. "I hope he'd one day become the world's best player; he deserves it." Egypt, who open their World Cup campaign against Uruguay on June 15, face Greece in another friendly meeting on Tuesday. The Pharaohs, who finally made it to the World Cup following a 28-year wait, were drawn in Group A alongside hosts Russia, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
