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Outcast keeper El-Hadary eyes return to Egypt fold The veteran shot-stopper hopes he can return to Egypt fold and help them in their quest to reach next year's World Cup finals in Brazil
Essam El-Hadary is taking what seems to be one last shot at a place in Egypt's squad as the veteran goalkeeper hopes he can play a part in the Pharaohs' quest for an eagerly-awaited World Cup place. The 40-year-old, who is arguably Egypt's best-ever goalkeeper, used to be the team's undisputed number one but abruptly fell out of favour after rejecting a bench role during a friendly game against Chile last February. He has not been called up to the Egypt roster since then; with American coach Bob Bradley relying on Ahly's Sherif Ekramy and Zamalek's Abdel-Wahed El-Sayed in the World Cup qualifying campaign. El-Hadary initially said he would retire from international football in the wake of his fresh dispute with Bradley but had a change of heart later. However, he still failed to make it to Egypt's squad despite Bradley's repeated assertions that the national team door “is open for anybody.” “It's not wrong for someone to admit he has made a mistake. I did a mistake when I announced my retirement,” El-Hadary, who plays for Sudanese side Al-Merreikh, said in an interview with Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida on Friday. “I hope I can regain my place in the national team. I hope things would return back to normal. “I will be ready to join up with the team if the technical staff calls me up anytime. I have already met Bradley last month and we agreed that I would return to Egypt's training camps as soon as possible.” Egypt have reached the World Cup qualifying playoff after becoming the only team to finish the group stage with a 100 percent record, having bagged maximum 18 points from six matches. They will learn their play-off opponent following Monday's anticipated draw in Cairo as they seek to book a World Cup place for the first time since 1990. “The national team needs now to put all the problems aside. We need to concentrate our efforts in qualifying Egypt for the World Cup,” El-Hadary added. El-Hadary, who made his name with Cairo giants Ahly and had an unsuccessful stint with crosstown rivals Zamalek in Egypt, has played a key role in helping Egypt win three consecutive African Cup of Nations titles in 2006, 2008 and 2010. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at@AO Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/81514.aspx
