CAIRO - Despite being out of the U-20 World Cup after losing 2-1 to six-time champions Argentina, Egypt U-20 coach Diaa el-Sayyed has praised his team's performance, urging soccer officials not to lose this generation of players who have great potential for the future. El-Sayyed expressed his great sadness at his team losing 2-1 to Argentina. “The Egyptian U-20 team are really very good. We have a lot of talented players and I hope some of them will make it to the senior national teams," he said after the game. "I am very sad about the defeat, but I am proud of this group of talented young players, who deserve our thanks and appreciation.” Argentina's Erik Lamela scored Argentina's two penalties, the first in injury time before half-time and the second in the 64th minute. Egypt's striker Mohamed Salah, meanwhile, scored the only goal for his team, converting a penalty in the 70th minute. The young Pharaohs, in the first round, drew against Brazil, beating Panama 1-0 and giving Austria a 4-0 thumping. Egypt finished second in Group E with seven points, behind leaders Brazil on goal difference. Egypt's hero Mohamed Ibrahim scored a hat-trick, the first by an African player in FIFA U-20 World Cup history, in the Pharaohs' thrashing of Austria. The talented coach said that he told the players to play for entertainment and to please the fans. “I always tell my players that they should enjoy the games. In soccer, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose,” he stressed. “I urge officials and fans to support this generation. If anyone wants to attack someone, they should attack me, not the players," el-Sayyed told TV satellite channel Modern Sport over the phone after the game, pointing out that there are at least seven players in the team who deserve to play for the Pharaohs' senior team. El-Sayyed refused to blame refereeing for the defeat. "This is football and a mistake can happen,” he said. Meanwhile, Magdi Abdel-Ghani, an EFA member and the head of the Egyptian delegation in Colombia, praised the Egypt U-20 team, stressing that they didn't deserve to lose against Argentina. Amr Abul Magd, a soccer expert, explained that the current generation of young Egyptian players includes many who starred in the Premier League last year, gaining a lot of experience. "These players have gained a lot of experience by playing throughout the last league season. They deserve to play for the senior national team,” stressed Abul Magd, praising Diaa el-Sayyed and his tactics. Egyptian Football Association (EFA) Chairman Samir Zaher said the U-20 national team have made their fans happy. "I have a high regard for their self-confidence, the way they play and their spirit, but this is football; today you win, tomorrow you lose,” he said on EFA's official website. Hassan el-Shazli, another soccer expert, said: "I am very proud of the Young Pharaohs as they have done the African continent proud. "The team includes many talented players, especially goalkeeper Ahmed el-Shenawi, whom we should encourage in the near future.”
