Egypt coach denies Salah rift before World Cup match against New Zealand

Egypt coach denies Salah rift before World Cup match against New Zealand‘If he starts … or if he gets substituted, it’s fine – it is his role as a player,’ Egypt ‌coach Hossam Hassan says.Egypt ‌coach Hossam Hassan has dismissed talk of unrest involving talisman Mohamed Salah, insisting there ⁠were no issues ⁠within the squad as they prepare to face New Zealand in their crucial World Cup Group G match at BC Place, Vancouver.“Salah is an important player for our squad, and the 26 players who are here with me ‌are very important,” Hassan told reporters on Sunday.“Every player who has worked with me knows I deal with them in a professional manner. I do not have favourites.”Salah, 34, scored nine ⁠goals in the qualifying campaign and provided an assist for Emam Ashour in their opener with Belgium. He was substituted in the 76th minute of that 1-1 draw in Seattle, with ⁠highly-rated teenager Hamza Abdelkarim coming on.Salah walks off the pitch after getting substituted in the match against Belgium [Lee Smith/Reuters]New Zealand also opened their campaign by sharing the points in a 2-2 draw with Iran in Los Angeles, leaving the group finely poised ahead of Sunday’s encounter.Hassan insisted all was well in the Egyptian camp.“Salah is a great player who helps his teammates. He has a lot of discipline and is a role model,” he said.“If he starts … or if he gets substituted, it’s fine. It is his role as a player. Everyone knows that I am working for the benefit of the ⁠team and the national side.“Rumours are being spread about stars, about ⁠players, about teams. But Salah is someone who is very disciplined,” he added.“He trains with us. He’s the first player that would also say yes to my decisions as a technical director. So I think he will ⁠be very positive tomorrow.”