World Cup: Russia ‘know how to stop’ Egypt’s Salah

Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov says the World Cup hosts have figured out a

way to reign in Egypt ’s striker Mohamed Salah on Tuesday in Saint Petersburg.

The 26 - year - old has scored 44 goals in a sensational first season for Liverpool and

is keen to make his debut after missing the Pharaohs’ 1 - 0 opening game loss to

Uruguay with a shoulder injury .

Salah ’ s name has been creeping into conversations often since Russia’ s 5 - 0

thumping of Saudi Arabia in Thursday ’ s tournament curtain- raiser .

But Cherchesov said he was not

particularly concerned.

“ We know how to play against

him , ” the Russia coach said

after the team ’ s morning

training session .

“ We are ready to stop Salah

and we will . ”

The bold promise highlights a

new swagger that had been

missing from the host nation ’ s

team for much of the past year .

Russia’ s convincing win over the Saudis was preceded by a seven - match winless

streak and a spate of injuries that wiped out almost the entire defence line .

But the men in red are now on the cusp of making their first knockout stage of a

World Cup in post - Soviet history .

The achievement would a huge relief for both players and Russians who worried

about being humiliated on the world ’ s biggest sporting stage .

One poll said Thursday ’ s win has

seen the number of Russians who say

they plan to follow the football rise

from 52 percent to 64 percent .

Russia’ s veteran goalkeeper Igor

Akinfeev said he would rather focus

on winning than any particular

opposing player .

“ Would I prefer to see Salah play or

not ? I do not even know how to

respond , ” said Akinfeev . “ I would

prefer to see my team win