MTNFootball

Egypt's Hossam Hassan in action against Brazil

Egypt go in search of a place in the 2012 London Olympics Men’s Tournament semifinals when they take on Japan on Saturday.

The North Africans finished runners-up in their Group C behind Brazil, while Japan were top of Group D.

It is a game that Egypt, led by their talisman Mohamed Aboutreika, will feel they can win against a Japanese side that are useful, without being dominant.

There had been some doubt over the availability of Al Ahly trio Aboutreika, Emad Meteab and Ahmed Fathi as the Red Devils are involved in CAF Champions League action this weekend, but Egypt coach Hany Ramzy was able to persuade the club to release them.

"Directly after the match against Belarus I contacted the manager of Al Ahly to ask if he could allow them to stay for the next game," Ramzy said.

"They decided that all three players can stay with us as long as we are in the tournament. It's very important for the team to have them here both on the field and off the field.

“When the younger players see Aboutrika, Meteab and Fathi in the same team it gives them more confidence and they have also been able to learn from them. These are very experienced players who have won three African Cup of Nations titles and someone like Aboutrika is an idol for all Egyptians."

The winner of this fixture will meet Senegal or Mexico in the semifinals, again a match that both might feel they can win.