Egyptians quietly celebrating a favorable World Cup draw have been delivered a warning by national team coach Héctor Cúper: Never underestimate an opponent and never discount home advantage. 
Egypt were drawn in Group A, alongside hosts Russia, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in what is arguably the complete opposite of a dreaded “group of death.” They will begin their first World Cup campaign in 28 years against Uruguay on Jun. 15 in Yekaterinburg. Cairo-based newspaper Al Ahram wrote: “The Pharaohs could hardly have hoped for a better outcome to Friday’s draw.”
At 65th in the world, Russia are the lowest-ranked team at the tournament, followed closely by Saudi Arabia, who are ranked 63rd. Yet Cúper, whose Egypt side are ranked 30th, warned that while he is generally optimistic, his players, especailly star man Mohamed Salah (pictured), will have to be at their very best to progress. 
“I think it will be competitive all round,” he said at the Kremlin. “We’re all raring to go and nobody can say they have an easier or tougher draw because it’s all about competing as best as you can. Every team poses difficulties in football and anyone who thinks they’ve got it easy is making a big mistake in my view. It’s never easy in a competition featuring the best national teams in the world.” 
After opening their campaign against Uruguay, Egypt will face Russia in Saint Petersburg before finishing the group stage with an all-Arab clash against Saudi Arabia in Volgograd on Jun. 25. 
“Russia will be playing on home turf, which adds an extra ingredient because the hosts always have special motivation. They’ve got a good team, too,” added Cúper.
“Saudi Arabia are in a similar boat to us; we’re both going to have to really dig deep to match the level of the other teams.”
Arsenal’s Egyptian forward Mohammed Elneny believes that while Russia might have the home advantage, his country has a secret weapon too.
“Get ready for the Pharaohs. We are not just 11 players, we are 100 million,” he wrote on Twitter in reference to his country’s population. He also tagged Uruguay stars Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Diego Godin.
Meanwhile veteran goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary, who will become the oldest player to appear at a World Cup, as expected, if he competes, said he was delighted to face Saudi Arabia. El-Hadary, who will turn 45 in January, tweeted: “Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Uruguay… welcome Saudi Arabia, it’s the first time to be there in the World Cup together and in the same group. Together we could make history for the Arabs.”

Source: arabnews