World Cup twist for Socceroos as Mo Salah in major doubt and player banned for Round of 32

The Socceroos will fancy their chances of upsetting Egypt in the Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup, with superstar Mo Salah in doubt and midfielder Mohanad Lasheen banned. Lasheen picked up a yellow card in Egypt’s final group game against Iran, which finished 1-1.

It was Lasheen’s second yellow of the group stage, triggering an automatic one-match ban. Under FIFA rules for the World Cup, players who receive two yellows or a red card in the three group games are banned for one match.

The cards are wiped once the Round of 32 starts. It means Egypt will be without influential midfeilder Lasheen against the Socceroos, and potentially Salah as well.

Egypt’s best player was subbed off against Iran in the 57th minute and was spotted with strapping on his leg on the bench. Coach Hossam Hassan said Salah will get scans to determine the severity.

“Salah asked to be replaced, but we still don’t know the diagnosis,” Hassan said. “Since he felt something, it means there is something. He will undergo scans and we hope for the best.

“I talked to Salah and he said he’s going to be OK and it’s not a big injury. We still have time to talk to the medical staff. I think he will be back, and when I spoke to Salah he assured me he’s going to be OK.”

The Socceroos don’t have any suspension issues, but Jacob Italiano and Mat Leckie have both been ruled out for the rest of the World Cup with injuries. Australia and Egypt have only ever played twice before, with the Socceroos winning a President's Cup match on penalties in 1987 and losing a 2010 friendly in Cairo 3-0.

“We've always said we want to do something special with this group and why can't it be us?” said Socceroos defender Aziz Behich. "And I think we've got a great opportunity.

“We've created this opportunity from our hard work to be here - it wasn't given to us. Everything's in our hands leading into this game. So (I'm) full of confidence that ... this group can do something special this campaign."