Very interesting season for the former Chelsea flop, Mohammed Salah finished his first season in a Red shirt with a golden cup and even had a Ballon D’Or contention under his belt. But will that be erased if he exits the world cup with a wooden spoon?
The 2017-18 season has been the best of times, and is turning out to be a bile for Mohamed Salah.
Mohammed Salah’s long season officially ends tonight in Volgograd in a largely meaningless match when the eliminated pair of Egypt and Saudi Arabia face off to ensure the final rites to their sorry campaigns. Yes, very sorry campaigns.
It could be argued Salah’s season ended 30 days earlier, 1,300 kilometers to the west in Kiev on May 26, when Salah was slammed to the turf by Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos, causing a painful separation of his left shoulder.
His spring of hope turned to a summer of despair as soon as he had to leave the pitch in the 29th minute of the Union of European Football Association’s Champions League final. Without him, Liverpool lost 3-1.
Salah returned to action for the first time in three weeks against Russia last week but was a shadow of the player who dazzled for Liverpool last season, scoring 44 goals.
World Cup
Group Stage
Salah missed out on the opening group game against Uruguay when a Carlos Sanchez 89th minute free kick was turned in by Jose Manuel Gimenez to leave the Pharaohs tattered and nauseous on the field.
A sigh of relief when the news emerged that Salah was available for the second group game against host Russia, but his 73rd minute goal, will just remain a consolation – Russia had taking a commanding three goal lead through an Ahmed Fathy own goal, Dennis Cheryshev low shot in the middle of goal and Artem Dzyuba’s strike to the bottom right corner, all before the 63rd minute.
The 26-year-old took a full part in training in Volgograd on Sunday and is set to play against Saudi Arabia because he wants to lead Egypt to a first ever win at the World Cup.
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, are also playing for nothing but pride after group stage defeats to Russia (5-0) and Uruguay (1-0).
Story : George Nitro Duah
