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Mike Chan

Egyptian squash player Ali Farag is a superstar in his own right, but he says he has mixed feelings about an even more famous sportsman from his country.
Farag, the leading figure in Egypt’s pursuit of their seventh men’s World Squash Team Championships (WSTC) title, is also a passionate football fan.
However, he cannot help but admire Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, even though the team he supports is now in direct competition with the Anfield side for the English Premier League title.
“Well, I love Mohamed Salah, and he’s such an inspiration for us,” Farag told the Post. “But I always have mixed feelings when he scores because I don’t want Liverpool to be doing so well.
“I love football; I am a huge Arsenal fan, and I watch all of their games. I was 11 or 12 when they were unbeatable.

“They had the invincible season [in 2003-04] and wouldn’t lose a game, and that was when I started following football. Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and all those legends – I fell in love with them. And ever since, I’ve been an Arsenal fan.”
While there has not been much for Gunners fans to boast about since May 2003 – except for a couple of FA Cup and Community Shields victories – the team have been runner-up to Manchester City for the past two seasons, and remain in contention this season.
However, they have their work cut out to catch Salah’s Liverpool, who are leading the table and six points clear of third-placed Arsenal, having played a game less.
Moreover, Egyptian icon Salah enjoys facing Farag’s beloved Gunners, with 10 goals and two assists in 14 outings against Arsenal since joining the Merseyside outfit in 2017.
“But despite all of what he does,” Frag, 32, said. “He’s a role model to all of us [Egyptians]. So I hope we can produce more than one Mohamed Salah in the future.”
The Egyptian squash star was speaking after day two of the WSTC, which saw Egypt beat Japan 3-0 to top Group A with two wins out of two, though Farag lost to compatriot Mostafa Asal at the Hong Kong Squash Open at Edinburgh Place on Sunday.

It was his fourth loss in a final in the city – following defeats in 2017, 2018 as well as 2023 – and Hong Kong remains the only platinum- or diamond-level tournament Farag has yet to conquer since turning pro in 2009.
However, the right-handed veteran said he had “no regrets” and was “not desperate” to win here.
“The fact that I’ve reached four finals is something I’m very, very proud of,” world No 1 Farag said. “But I came up against strong opponents every single time – I didn’t do much wrong [on Sunday] but [Asal] was just the better player.
“So I didn’t go home disappointed. I just work even harder to try and come back in a stronger way, but with all the tools I had on the day, I gave it my all.”
On the courts at the Hong Kong Football Club on Tuesday, Egypt’s women beat Japan 3-0 to win their group, while England’s men’s and women’s teams beat Nigeria and Switzerland, respectively, by the same score line.
Hong Kong’s women thrashed South Africa 3-0, and the city’s men – who lost 2-1 to Pakistan in a late match on Monday – bounced back to winning ways with a 2-1 win over Peru.


Hong Kong Squash Open: Egypt stars Nour El Sherbini and Mostafa Asal crowned champions

Hong Kong Squash Open: El Sherbini ‘not done yet’ after toppling world’s best El Hammamy

Hong Kong Squash Open: Japan’s Watanabe summons grit to shock teenager Orfi

Hong Kong Squash Open: Mostafa Asal 2 wins from title but misses facing retired Farag

Hong Kong Squash Open

Arsenal-mad Egyptian squash star has ‘mixed feelings’ about compatriot Mohamed Salah

Ali Farag in action. Photo: Handout

Mohamed Salah has scored 10 goals in 14 games against Arsenal since joining them in 2017. Photo: Reuters

Ali Farag beat Tomotaka Endo in Egypt’s 3-0 win over Japan. Photo: World Squash Federation

Hong Kong Squash Open: Gohar seals title and world No 1 spot with win, Farag falls short

Nouran Gohar (left) got the better of compatriot Nour El Sherbini in the women’s final of the Hong Kong Squash Open. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Ali Farag (front) came up short in his men’s final against Mostafa Asal. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Malaysian squash star eyes historic Olympic quest after career-threatening neck fracture

Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam of Malaysi in action during the semi-finals at the 2023 Asian Squash Championships. Photo: Panda Man

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The man leading Egypt’s pursuit of their seventh world team title is also a passionate football fan


The man leading Egypt’s pursuit of their seventh world team title is also a passionate football fan.


Arsenal-mad Egyptian squash star has ‘mixed feelings’ about compatriot Mohamed Salah

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The man leading Egypt’s pursuit of their seventh world team title is also a passionate football fan

The man leading Egypt’s pursuit of their seventh world team title is also a passionate football fan