Algeria (National Football)

With Sunday's 4-2 romp over South Korea, Algeria earned their first win in a World Cup game since 1982. According to ESPN Stats & Info, none of the players on Algeria's roster were alive when the nation last won a Cup game 32 years ago.

Coming off of a hard-fought 2-1 loss to a heavily favored Belgian side in their Cup opener, the Algerians pieced together a dominant effort against the overmatched South Koreans.

Forward Islam Slimani opened the scoring in the 26th minute, after chasing down a rather ambitious long ball from defensive midfielder Carl Medjani, who put it in the perfect spot. The Algerians couldn't be stopped once they got going, as Rafik Halliche tacked on another goal in the 28th minute, before Abdelmoumene Djabou made it 3-0 in the 38th.

The Koreans cut it to 3-1 in the 50th minute and again to 4-2 in the 72nd, but they never got within one goal. Despite holding just 46 percent of the possession, Algeria took 15 shots (eight on goal) to South Korea's nine (six on goal).

Algeria has participated in the World Cup on three other occasions, in 1982, 1986 and 2010. They pulled off draws against Northern Island in '86 and England in '10, but lost their other two games in both tournaments, failing to advance past the group stage. 

The 1982 tournament saw Algeria fall victim to some unfortunate circumstances, as they won two of their three games but lost out to both Austria and West Germany due to goal differential, with all three teams sitting at four points apiece.

Thirty-two years later, there's no doubt that a second group-stage win will put the Algerians through. In fact, with both Russia and South Korea sitting at one point, Algeria can almost certainly get through by merely drawing with the Russians on Thursday. South Korea carries a minus-two goal differential into Thursday's game against the group-leading Belgians, while Algeria sits at plus-one with a much easier matchup.

Algeria reached the 2014 World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in the second leg of its African World Cup play-off in Bilda.

Trailing 3-2 from the away leg in Ouagadougou, Algeria captain Madjid Bougherra scored the only goal of the match four minutes into the second half.

It saw the North Africans progress on the away goals rule and means they join Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Cameroon and Ghana as the representatives from the continent in Brazil.

Those are the same five African qualifiers that were in South Africa four years ago, and it is the fourth time that Algeria has reached the finals since 1982.

Burkina Faso was looking to make its first appearance in the finals and the landlocked West African country held the advantage after Aristide Bance scored a controversial late penalty in the home leg.

The "Etalons" (Stallions) thought they had made the dream start when they had the ball in the net within two minutes, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

They failed to conjure up a worthwhile chance in the rest of the half while the hosts spurned a great chance to take the lead when an unmarked Islam Slimani headed wide from close range.

Former Glasgow Rangers and Sheffield Wednesday defender Bougherra was lucky to still be on the pitch after a horrendous two-footed lunge at the end of the first period that only saw him earn a yellow card.

Bougherra took full advantage of his reprieve in the 49th minute when Burkina Faso failed to deal with a free-kick. The skipper poked his effort towards goal and Bakary Kone hacked it off his own line, only for the ball to strike Bougherra full in the face and nestle in the net.

The visitors made three changes and brought on their top striker Alain Traore, who returned from injury, and they came perilously close in injury time to the goal that would have taken them to Brazil.

El Arabi Soudani hacked a corner against his own post, but Algeria held on to extend their unbeaten streak at the Mustapha Tchaker Stadium to 22 games and seal a place in their fourth finals.

Burkina were felt to rue their lack of threat in the final third.

As per the BBC report, "Burkina were unable to muster any attacking impetus as they were forced back by high pressing from Algeria and simply could not come up with any creative ideas."

Key Stats (as per Soccerway)

Corners—4 vs. 3

Shots on target—3 vs. 0

Shots wide—8 vs. 2

Fouls—14 vs. 22

Possession—58 percent vs. 42 percent

Mounting popular rejection of the widespread abuse of power that is spilling on to the streets of Algerian cities is reverberating within the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) amid allegations of embezzlement against its president, Mohammed Raouraoua.

The allegations raised by crowned soccer club Jeunesse Kabylie (JSK) come as thousands of security forces in the capital Algiers prevented protests and arrested 250 demonstrators.

The demonstrations were inspired by the success, on Friday, of Egyptian protesters in forcing President Hosni Mubarak to resign after 30 years in office, and last month’s toppling of Tunisian President Zine Abedine Ben Ali.

Algeria last month suspended professional soccer matches in the wake of protests against rising commodity prices and authoritarian rule. The FAF last week cancelled a friendly against Tunisia allegedly because no stadium was available for the match.

The protests sweeping across North Africa threaten the Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria and Egypt backed by Tunisia set to ask the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for a postponement of matches scheduled for March because of the turmoil.

Reports from Tizi-Ouzou, JSK’s home town in predominantly Berber, eastern Algeria, said security forces had deployed in the region in anticipation of anti-government protests.  Demonstrators were reported to have taken to the streets of Bejala Kabyle. Berbers account for approximately one-third of Algeria’s population.

JSK President Mohand-Cherif Hannachi accused Algerian soccer federation chief Raouraoua of embezzling $160,000 which the Confederation of African Football had sent to JSK for its participation in the African Champions League.

Hannachi and Raouraoua are locked into a bitter fight involving legal claims and counterclaims and Hannachi is seeking to thwart the FAF president’s efforts to be appointed to the executive of FIFA, soccer’s world body.

The feud predates Algeria’s escalating political crisis, but is likely to feature in Berber demands for greater cultural and linguistic rights that are certain to be fueled by the escalating Algerian protests demanding an end to authoritarian rule and greater rights.

James M. Dorsey authors The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer blog

We've just finished the third day of the World Cup and at least there's one person to laugh at other than Robert Green: Algeria 'keeper Faouzi Chaouchi.

With 11 minutes to go in their clash with Slovenia, Robert Koren's harmless shot went through Chaouchi—who by the way, may have been sporting the worst blond haircut since the entire Romanian team's effort in 1998.

He missed it. He "Robert Greened" it—which has now become the byword for horrific goalkeeping errors.

We enjoyed it—even if the 1-0 result wasn't the sort of result that England and U.S. fans were hoping for.

1) So how good was Slovenia or Algeria?

In a word: mediocre. Both sides failed to deal with the lighter ball and warmer conditions. On paper, they'll be weaker than both England and the USA, although Slovenia looked much better defensively than Algeria. Saying that, Algeria's passing ability was better than Slovenia's even if their end product was pretty dire. Oh, and both sides partook in the worst game of the cup so far. The sooner these two go home, the better.

2) Roos Roasted

The dungaree-wearing Australians, drinking their cans of Victoria Bitter and roasting their prawns on the barbie must have said: ""Wow sport, that was quite a roasting we took out there against the Germans, wasn't it?", after seeing their side whipped 4-0 by the European mean machine. They'll point to talisman Tim Cahill's completely unjust sending off ten minutes in the second half, but let's be honest—they should have taken the lead, went up 2-0, and then could have been down by seven at half-time.  Australia's "Socceroos" were taken behind the woodshed. "Soccer" is not their first sport, eh?

3) Ghana!!!

Ghana's players and fans were both delighted equally. Behind a constant throbbing carnival of fans and flavour, the Ghanaians beat Serbia 1-0 thanks to a second-half penalty scored by Asamoah Gyan. Truth be told, Serbia had the better chances in the second half—despite being reduced to ten men by a card-happy referee—but Ghana kept coming forward and they gave Africa a reason to celebrate. I don't fancy their chances against Germany though...

4) Deustchland, Deutschland

If the Germans were 16/1 at the start of the tournament, then they've just reduced their odds vastly after an efficient whipping of Australia—one of the dark horses in the World Cup. True, they were almost down 1-0 early on. True, they were perhaps lucky that Cahill was sent off. But here's what's also true: the Germans scored four goals from four different players, created a ton of chances, and looked like a frightening prospect for anyone who gets in their way. Ghana and Serbia might be better defensively than Australia, but against that machine?

And finally...

The refs became the bastions of the red card by sending off three players in three games, dramatically altering the course of two of them. Between them, Sunday's refs issued 14 yellows and three reds in three games that certainly weren't dirty. The sending off of Australia's Tim Cahill HAS to be appealed, as it was, quite frankly, a crap decision.

Thank God the buzzing in my ears has died down... until Holland vs Denmark kicks off Day 4 tomorrow!

Algeria have started their World Cup campaign in terrible fashion, by losing to Slovenia, the only team that Algeria could have beaten, statistically speaking.

With Slovenia at three points, and with England and the United States at one point each, Algeria are now favorites to be eliminated first, especially when you put into consideration the fact that they will play against England in the next game, and then the United States in the following game.

Does that mean that Algeria is guaranteed to be eliminated?

No, they still have a fragment of a chance at this moment, but they shouldn't hope for much.

First off, the Algerians must get at least one point from their encounter with England, which is going to be a very hard task, especially after England learned their weaknesses last night against the United States.

Algeria can only aim for six points now, but if they are fortunate, they can get away with four points and hope that it is enough to get them through to the second round.

Algeria hopes that the United States and Slovenia will get a draw against each other, and beats the United States while England beats Slovenia, and of course hopes that they can out-score Slovenia, should this scenario actually occur.

But for all this to actually matter, Algeria needs to draw against England, otherwise they're already out from the second game.

To make it against England, Algeria needs to forget about the terrible game they played against Slovenia, and their goalkeeper needs to get his act together. You can't exactly blame him alone for the result, but you can blame him for the goal the Algerians conceded, a similar error occurred against England yesterday, with Robert Green making a howler against the United States.

Les Fennecs need to play a defensive game, and play on the counter attack. They need to play using their strength while avoiding their weaknesses.

Algeria can take comfort in the fact that England struggled against the United States' physical play, and must use the fact that they are the most physical team in the group to their advantage. It doesn't matter how ugly they have to play to get points, as long as they get them.

Even if the United States wins against Slovenia, the Algerians would still have a chance, providing that they get at least a point against England. They'll have to beat the United States and out-score them, and hope that England beats Slovenia on the final match of the group stages.

All the Algerians can hope for at this moment is that Slovenia does not win any other games. If Slovenia draws with the States, Algerians will have to out-score them and beat the States.

If the U.S. wins, that might make things easier for Algeria, as long as they beat the States with a comforting scoreline.

Algerians already have nothing to lose, so it wouldn't be crazy to expect them to play an offensive game. If they play their cards right, then maybe they'll get to see the knockout stages, and that would be a great achievement for the Algerians already.

A 24-year absence has not stopped Algeria from qualifying for the World Cup Finals.  Les Fennecs (The Desert Foxes) winners of the African Cup of Nations are poised to get out of the group stage for the first time in their world cup history.  Although the chances of them succeeding are very slim.

Algeria qualified for the finals in a last game playoff against Egypt.  Antar Yahia scored on of the biggest goals of his life in a game that propelled Algeria to the finals for only the third time.  Algeria had to go through Egypt, Rwanda and Zambia in the third round of the qualifying stages for the World Cup.  They finished the group in first after the playoff with a positive goal differential.

SCHEDULE

Slovenia: June 13

England: June 18

United States: June 23

The draw for the Desert Foxes was not a kind one.  They were drawn against England, United States and Slovenia.  Algeria would love to advance past the group stages but in doing so they will have to beat front runners to win the World Cup England, who looks poised to win it all.

Their first match will be against Slovenia, which may be one of their easiest matches.  Five days later they will take the pitch against England a very strong club looking to win the group.  Their final match will come against the United States on June 23 at Loftus Versfeld.

Algeria will be looking to play spoiler in one of their last two group stage games in order to advance past the group stage.  They will be playing with nothing to lose, but looking to keep their pride on home soil.

KEY PLAYERS

Algeria is led by Antar Yahia, who put The Desert Foxes through to the World Cup Finals with his heroic goal in a last ditch playoff in qualifying.  He will be anchoring the back along side Madjid Bougherra and Nadir Belhadj. 

All three will be looking to help keep opposing teams from scoring and getting Algeria out of the group stage for the first time.

Goalkeeper Lounes Gaouaoui, is trying to keep his spot as a starter while back up keeper Fawzi Chaouchi is turning into a real contender to take over the starting job in goal.

The midfield and attack is the strongest point in the Algerian’s game.  They will be looking to spread the ball through the midfield to the speedy forwards Karim Ziani and Mourad Meghni, who can turn it on when in the open field.

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

One of the biggest strengths Algeria has recently received is the one of Zinidine Zidane operating in an advisory role with the team.  With his knowledge of the game and a team that just claimed the African Cup of Nations and they could potentially advance out of the first round for the first time. 

Another strong factor with this team is the midfield and how they distribute the ball forward so well to their speedy forwards Ziani and Meghni.  This could create a potential onslaught if opposing teams are caught sleeping.

The main weakness for this team is that it lacks experience even though they won the African Cup of Nations.  This is only its third World Cup final and they have never advanced past the group stage.  The team also lacks experience in key parts of the field too. 

They will be going up against players from other countries who compete in some of the strongest and biggest football championships in the world year in year out.  Whereas most players alongside the Algerian team lack this crucial big game experience.

Lack of big name stars and inexperience in big game situations may be the reason the Desert Foxes get ousted in the group stage.

IT WOULD BE A GREAT WORLD CUP IF…

The young inexperienced Desert Foxes make it out of the group stage into the next round.  There is huge potential for this team to succeed and advance through their young forward thinking ball playing.  There is no expectation for this team to win it all and that could potentially help push Algeria through for the first time.

IT WOULD BE A DISASTER IF…

 Algeria doesn’t win a single game.  Even though they are in a stacked group C, with England and the United States there is huge potential for them to be able to match up well with these two teams and pull of what would be an upset.  Especially with the home crowd cheering them on in full, a win less tournament would be a huge disaster. 

MY PREDICTION

Its hard to explain how this team won six of their home games in qualifying but then needed a playoff in order to reach the finals.  Although playing on the home soil of South Africa with the mass of fans cheering them on, this will be the year that Algeria pull’s the upsets necessary to propel them into the next round.

 This would be a huge boost for this team, which in the years to come should get stronger and stronger and more experienced as the years go on.

If they can come in together as a team and not let the big games get to there head and disturb their game then they have.

Email: PM9990@Ship.edu