Australia Confirms It Was Already Aware Salah Would Start, Had Been Dreading It For Weeks

The Australian Football Federation issued a formal statement today confirming that it had received advance intelligence suggesting Egypt's most decorated forward would indeed be included in the starting lineup, and that the information had not materially improved morale within the camp. "We had prepared two tactical plans," said assistant coach Greg Whitfield. "Plan A was for if he started. Plan B was also for if he started but with slightly more optimism." Defensive staff reportedly spent the past 72 hours reviewing film, after which senior analyst Darren Crouch described the experience as "like watching a nature documentary where you're the gazelle." The federation confirmed that all four designated markers had been offered access to the team psychologist and that a fifth had requested a personal day. Kickoff remains scheduled as planned, with Australia expected to field a regulation eleven players and, sources say, hope for rain.

Riffing on real coverage: Salah starts for Egypt against Australia