Egypt continued their disappointing run in World Cup warm-ups after they needed a late goal to avoid an embarrassing defeat against Kuwait in a 1-1 friendly draw at the Jaber al-Ahmad International Stadium on Friday. Fahad Al Ansari stunned Egypt, who are 114 positions above Kuwait in the FIFA World Rankings, after six minutes but substitute Ayman Ashraf spared the visitors' blushes with a late goal after a neat exchange with Saudi-based winger Mahmoud Kahraba. Ashraf's late goal was the result of a rare foray into Kuwait's area for a sluggish Egypt side, who started the game with a largely second-string team devoid of several stars, including Liverpool's Mo Salah who is preparing for Saturday's European Champions League final against Real Madrid. Egypt are yet to claim any win in three pre-World Cup friendlies, having surrendered their lead to lose 2-1 to European champions Portugal before slumping to another 1-0 defeat by Greece in two matches in March. They next face heavyweights Colombia on 1 June in the Italian city of Bergamo before concluding their preparations with another high-profile friendly against a star-studded Belgium side five days later in Brussels. Egypt start their World Cup campaign against South American powerhouses Uruguay on 15 June. They will also face hosts Russia and Arab Gulf side Saudi Arabia in Group A. Cuper gave debuts to Zamalek duo Mahmoud Hamdi and Mahmoud Abdel-Aziz and tested other fringe players, including RC Lens left-back Karim Hafez, as he seeks to settle on his final 23-squad for the Russia finals. Central midfielder Abdel-Aziz put in an assured display partnering club teammate Tarek Hamed but Egypt lacked spark in the final third without the likes of Mo Salah and Turkey-based winger Mahmoud Trezeguet, who started on the bench. Egypt were caught by surprise as early as the sixth minute when Al Ansari caught West Bromwich defender Ali Gabr napping to side-foot home a right-wing cross from close range, with goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy too slow to react. The Pharaohs struggled to carve out openings despite their territorial dominance, with wingers Ramadan Sobhi, who had a disappointing season at Premier League's relegated side Stoke City, and Atromitos' attacking midfielder Amr Warda giving away possession too often. The team's only first-half chance fell to experienced playmaker Mahmoud Shikabala, who intercepted a loose ball in midfield after 31 minutes, rounded a challenger and jinked into the area, only to miss the target with a feeble left-foot effort. Egypt still had the upper possession in the second half but barely troubled a comfortable Kuwait rearguard despite the introduction of Trezeguet and key playmaker Abdallah El-Said. The hosts were the ones who could have scored again, launching several dangerous breakaways. In the 58th minute, Ekramy smothered a close-range effort from Faisal Ajab who was also unlucky to see his curling free kick strike the woodwork later on. Egypt restored parity with nine minutes remaining, Ashraf feeding Kahraba who rushed to the byline and pulled the ball back to the Ahly left-back to slot home with a first-timer that went in after the keeper got a hand to it. It was a barely deserved equaliser for a lackluster Egypt side whose form would alarm fans yearning for convincing showing on the team's first World Cup appearance since 1990. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
