Helmy Toulan, the technical director of the Egyptian national team, stressed the difficulty of the upcoming match against their Emirati counterparts, praising the technical and physical capabilities of the opposing players, during the press conference held today, Thursday, to discuss the Pharaohs’ preparations for the second round of the competition.
Technical analysis of the strength of the UAE national team
Speaking about their opponents, Toulan explained that the Egyptian national team's coaching staff had thoroughly studied the UAE team, noting that they possess exceptionally talented players, particularly in attack. Toulan said, "We studied the UAE team well. They are a well-organized team with very fast players, especially their attacking quartet, who possess individual skills and exceptional dribbling ability. This necessitates defensive caution and focus throughout the match.".
Clarification and apology to our brothers in Kuwait
The Egyptian national team's second-string coach was keen to clarify the misunderstanding surrounding his remarks after the previous match against Kuwait, emphasizing the deep fraternal ties between the two countries and his complete respect for Kuwaiti football. He added, "I did not intend any offense to our brothers in the Kuwaiti national team, and I apologize if my comments about controlling the match were misinterpreted. My remarks were purely technical, based on statistics and the number of opportunities we had, and were not meant to belittle our opponents.".
Karim Fouad's injury and the challenges facing the squad
Toulan addressed the significant absences in the Pharaohs' ranks, expressing his regret over Karim Fouad's injury and describing it as a major loss for the team given the player's technical and tactical importance. He pointed out that haste and a lack of focus in the final touch were the main reasons behind the missed opportunities in the first match, emphasizing that he held meetings with the players to urge them to remain calm and composed in front of goal in order to convert their dominance into goals.
The importance of the meeting and the context of the competition
This match holds particular importance for both teams within the framework of regional competitions aimed at honing players' skills and preparing them for higher levels. The coaching staff is striving to make the best use of the short period between matches, with Toulan concluding his remarks by saying, "We are using the time between matches to analyze mistakes through video sessions, and we are trying to rest the players as much as possible to avoid muscle injuries resulting from the pressure of the matches.".
It is worth noting that the Egyptian second team is preparing to meet its Emirati counterpart tomorrow, Saturday, as part of the second round of competitions. The Pharaohs enter the match with one point after a 1-1 draw against Kuwait, while the Emirati team seeks to compensate for its loss in the first round against Jordan by two goals to one, making the match crucial for both sides to enhance their chances in the tournament.
