Helmy Toulan, the Egyptian national team coach, emphasized the deep fraternal ties between the Egyptian and Kuwaiti people, categorically denying any intention to offend in his previous statements following the two teams' first-round match. This came during the pre-match press conference for the upcoming Egypt-UAE game in the second round of the 2025 Arab Cup, hosted by Qatar.
Toulan began his speech by clarifying the recent misunderstanding, saying: “I have the utmost respect and appreciation for our brothers in Kuwait, and I apologize if my words were misunderstood. My statements were entirely focused on the purely technical aspect, as I was reviewing the language of numbers, match statistics, possession percentages, and missed opportunities, and I did not touch on any other aspect that affects the opponent’s capabilities or standing.”.
The Pharaohs' coach then turned his attention to the upcoming challenge against the UAE national team, describing the match as difficult and crucial. Toulan explained, "We have studied the UAE team thoroughly. They are a very organized team with young players and exceptional experience, especially in attack. The UAE's attacking quartet is characterized by its exceptional speed and ability to quickly transition from defense to attack, which requires us to maintain a high level of defensive concentration throughout the ninety minutes.".
In a related context, Toulan addressed the issue of the congested match schedule facing the participating teams, noting that the mere two-day interval between matches presents a significant physical challenge for both coaches and players. He added, "This compressed schedule doesn't allow us to conduct intensive tactical training sessions or practically correct mistakes on the field; we dedicate this short time to muscle recovery and trying to restore the players' physical freshness to avoid injuries and fatigue.".
This match takes on particular importance in the context of the tournament, as the Egyptian national team seeks to get back on track after their 1-1 draw against Kuwait in the opening round at the Lusail Stadium. The Arab Cup is considered one of the most important regional sporting events recognized by FIFA, bringing together Arab nations in a strong competition that reflects the development of Arab football in recent years.
It should be noted that holding the tournament in the World Cup stadiums in Qatar, specifically Lusail Stadium which hosted the 2022 World Cup final, gives the competitions a global character and puts the players under pressure to play in a large public and media atmosphere, which requires special psychological preparation in addition to technical preparation to deal with the course of the tournament and reach the final rounds.
