| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
Algeria are making their third appearance in the FIFA World Cup ending a 24-year hiatus from football's grandest stage. Les Fennecs (Desert Foxes) played consecutive World Cups in 1982 and '86 in Spain and Mexico, and failed to get past the opening round on both those occasions.
Algeria are currently ranked 31st in the FIFA rankings, and are placed in a competitive Group C alongside favourites England, the United States and Slovenia. All the aforementioned teams are ranked higher than the African stars, however, that is unlikely to faze them, after their amazing performance in qualifying to make it through to World Cup.
Algeria finished tied for first place with Egypt in their African Qualifying Group, and were required to come through a play-off with their much fancied opponents to claim their spot in the World Cup. Defender Antar Yahia scoring the winning goal in the 40th minute of a truly dramatic game.
Since qualifying for the World Cup, Algeria were involved in the African Cup of Nations in January, where they were beaten in the semi-finals, ironically by Egypt. A defeat in the third place play-off tie to Nigeria made it rare consecutive losses for Les Fennecs.
Algeria opens their campaign against Slovenia, a must win game for them if they are to stand any chance of making it past the Group Stages. Up next are mighty England, followed by what is likely to be another virtual play-off encounter against the United States.
Key Players:
Antar Yahia - Forever a legend in Algeria following his winner which helped Algeria qualify for the World Cup, a lot will be expected of Antar Yahia. Apart from his solid defence, Yahia has an eye for goal which saw him scoring three times in the qualifying campaign. He won MBC's Arab Player of the Year 2009 following his heroics for Algeria and the fans would be hoping for a similar feat from Yahia to help the Desert Foxes reach the knockout stage.
Yazid Mansouri - Every team needs a distinctive leader and in Mansouri, Algeria has one. The most capped active player in the squad, he has played in every major tournament for Algeria since his debut. A lot will be expected of the creative midfielder with his vision and range of passing. If Algeria makes it to the knockout stage, Mansouri's leadership and bravery will surely be a notable factor.
Karim Ziani - Talented winger Karim Ziani made his mark for Algeria in the 2004 African Cup of Nations where his performances were so impressive that he won the best player award in his position. Since then he has always been a star performer for the Desert Foxes. Ziani along with Mansouri will look to dictate the game throughout and it remains to be seen if he could be the artist to Algerian success this summer.
Team:
Goalkeeper: Fawzi Chouachi (ES Setif), Lounes Gaouaoui (ASO Chlef), Mohamed Lamine Zemmamouche (MC Alger), M'bohi Rais Ouheb (Slavia Sofia)
Defender: Abdelkader Laifaoui (ES Setif), Madjid Bougherra (Rangers), Carl Medjani (Ajaccio), Rafi Halliche (Nacional), Anther Yahia (Bochum), Haib Belaid (Boulogne), Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth), Djamel Mesbah (Lecce)
Midfielder: Hassan Yebda (Portsmouth), Mehdi Lacen (Racing Santander), Yazid Mansouri (Lorient), Adlene Guedioura (Charleroi), Riad Boudebouz (Sochaux), Djamel Abdoun (Nantes), Fouad Kadir (Valenciennes), Mourad Meghni (Lazio), Karim Ziani (Wolfsburg), Karim Matmour (Borussia Monchengladbach)
Forward: Abdelkader Ghezzal (Siena), Rafik Djebbour (AEK Athens), Rafik Saifi (Istres).
Top Goal Scorers: Rafik Saïfi (18), Nadir Belhadj (5)
Most Capped Players: Yazid Mansouri (65), Karim Ziani (53)
Head Coach: Rabah SaadaneForm Guide (WLLLW)
Jan 24, Ivory Coast 2 - 3 Algeria
Jan 28, Algeria 0 - 4 Egypt
Jan 30, Nigeria 1 - 0 Algeria
May 28, Rep of Ireland 3-0 Algeria
Jun 05, Algeria 1-0 UAE
Fixtures:
13-Jun: Algeria vs. Slovenia 12:30pm (BST) - Match Report
18-Jun: Algeria vs. England 7:30pm (BST) - Match Report
23-Jun: Algeria vs. USA 3:00pm (BST) - Match Report
Team Trivia
Algeria caused one of the more famous World Cup upsets when they defeated West Germany in their group game in 1982. Germany needed to beat Austria 1-0 in the final group game to prevent Algeria from making the next round, and that was the exact outcome of the final group match, sending Germany and Austria through.This led to a change in rules of the final group game in which now all four teams play at the same time.
Also Read:
Group Competitior Previews: England, USA, Slovenia
File Photograph Copyright: STF Photo Agency
This article is the exclusive copyright of TheSportsCampus.com and permission to reproduce the same has not been granted.
