Hossam Hassan, the technical director of the Egyptian national team, revealed the behind-the-scenes details of a number of his technical decisions during the team's journey in the World Cup tournament, confirming that he was keen to deploy the players at the appropriate timing, and that all the details had been studied in advance.
Hossam Hassan said in statements to the "Melab On" program: "I made Haitham Hassan start the match against Argentina because I deploy the player at the right time".
He spoke about how the technical staff dealt with Mohamed Hany after his own goal against Australia, saying: "We worked with Hany psychologically and made him feel that he had not made any mistake after the own goal in the match against Australia".
He added: "I dreamed of the team's achievement before we assumed responsibility, and we relied on God, and I was waiting for God's facilitation, and we were preparing the players to achieve this dream".
The technical director pointed out that the team benefited from the tournament atmosphere, saying: "We got used to the tournament pitches and conferences".
Regarding the match against Iran, he said: "We played heavy matches, but after Fetouh's injury in the match against Iran, while we were leading, they tried to exploit Fetouh's flank after the injury, and we were delivering a tremendous match".
Hossam Hassan revealed the behind-the-scenes of choosing the penalty takers against Australia, saying: "The order of the penalties against Australia was in my head, but I asked the players".
He added: "I know before the match what I will do, and we trained on all the details. I trust Mahmoud Saber, and I was determined that he would be number one in taking penalties along with Salah and Omar, but I postponed Salah".
He concluded his statements by saying: "I do not choose randomly and I trust the players, but who has the courage in penalties to start. They were all ready to shoot, and I was also putting Hamza Abdelkarim".
