Hossam Hassan reflects on Egypt’s defeat to Uzbekistan

Egypt’s head coach, Hossam Hassan, expressed his disappointment after his team lost 2-0 to Uzbekistan in the Al Ain International Tournament semifinal.

He emphasized that the real value of friendly tournaments lies in identifying weaknesses and correcting them before the Africa Cup of Nations.

In his post-match press conference, Hassan highlighted the absence of ten key players, including Mohamed El Shenawy, Mahmoud Trezeguet, and Omar Marmoush. He explained, “Missing so many mainstays affected our rhythm, especially early in the game. Many of these players are central to our style.”

Despite the challenges, Hassan saw positives in the second half, when Egypt improved their performance and created chances, although they couldn’t finish them. He gave several newcomers a chance to gain valuable experience, believing this will benefit the team in the long run.

Hassan especially praised debutant Marwan Osman for his strong start, predicting an important future in the team if he continues his dedication. He also celebrated the return of Ahmed Fattouh and Taher Mohamed Taher, seeing their comeback as a boost ahead of tough continental competition.

Looking ahead, Hassan urged patience from fans, stressing the rebuilding phase. He assured supporters that Egypt’s technical staff is working to improve team cohesion and performance as they prepare for the third-place match against Cape Verde and the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.