VANCOUVER, B.C. - Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Aly Ghazal is awaiting a decision that could bring the chance of a lifetime. The 26 year-old box to box tackling machine will soon learn whether or not he will represent Egypt at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Ghazal has 5 caps with Egypt, but has not made an appearance for the Egyptians since 2014. He wants to represent his country at the World Cup, but it's wait and see for now.
"I can help them a lot if they ask for my help. I can help them a lot." Ghazal told RedNation Online following training earlier this week.
Manager Héctor Cúper, will look to help navigate Egypt through a very winnable Group A that features hosts Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay. The Pharaohs are earning a lot of praise as an underdog team that could surprise a lot of people at the World Cup.
"Yeah it's fair chances." Ghazal said, of the hype around Egypt. "I would not say it's great or bad chances, but it's a good one. We have a group and everything is possible."
A former El Sekka El Hadid youth product, Ghazal hasn't heard his name mentioned too much, but he would love to feature for Egypt. Each country must name a preliminary squad of 35 players by May 14. A final squad of 23 players must be submitted by 4 June.
"I really hope so, I'm doing my best to be there." Ghazal said, of his squad chances. "I didn't hear anything, but I hope it will be. There is a camp at the end of the month, and hopefully I will be there. There is a game against Kuwait, Colombia, and Belgium."
Every young player dreams of stepping up on the biggest of stages and seeing their name in the starting eleven as millions of fans across the globe tune in for the World Cup.
Having played club football in Cairo, Madeira, Portugal and now MLS with Vancouver. It would be quite the journey for a boy growing up in Aswan, Egypt to play at the World Cup.
"It means everything." Ghazal said. "It's great to represent your country especially in the highest competition for the nations, so I hope so. "It was a good experience when I played in an official competition. We played big teams, and it's always an experience."
This would be a terrific opportunity for Egypt, Ghazal, and his teammates to make themselves known to the football world. What better than the World Cup to turn up, shock a favourite, and cause upsets.
All eyes will be on Egypt, and not just because Mohamed Salah leads the Premier League with 31 goals. Egypt have a serious opportunity to advance from a Group A that really has no clear favourite. Players that want to play in the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, or Ligue 1 - This is their time to showcase themselves to the world.
"It's important for all the players," said Ghazal. "Especially the guys who aren't in top teams. It's a good opportunity for them to show up if they want to look for them after the World Cup. It's a good opportunity."
While Ghazal has played in Belorussia (Belarus) he has never played football in Russia. Occasionally things aren't always on the up and up in Russia. You never know if a hotel alarm might be pulled, or if something unsavoury could perhaps be lurking in your food.
Egypt plays Russia on the second Group A match-day, could there be any tomfoolery?
"No, no, it's not that much." Ghazal said, as he laughed off any suggestion. "It's not in the spy world, it's not like this at all. This is football. Anyways, it will be in their faces if something like this happens. It will affect them. I don't think they can do anything like this, or anyone can do something like this."
The World Cup is all about the unknown, new faces taking shinning in the spotlight, unexpected triumph, top teams crashing out, and England choking. If Aly Ghazal gets the call, you just know he's going to be a difference maker in the middle of the park for Egypt.
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