Pre-game Match 23: England vs Algeria, June 18

u bet, that was and probably will be the best game in the competition when it's over, forget that Mali comeback, this was a delight to watch!

 

That was a hell of game! BTW The Algerian team was dead by the end of the 2nd half and they still held the lead. But frankly speaking it should have been 6-2 to Algeria. Chaouchi (GK) wasn't even sure of starting the game with a back injury and was elbowed by Drogba which made him lose consciousness :S

 

Ivory coast was the main contender for the cup.
Impressive win.

 

Frankly speaking it should have been 3:3 But great win for ALgeria.

 

Hard to know what to think about Algeria after seeing them in this cup.
They got crushed by malawi and Egypt. But had the wins over Mali and Ivory coast.

 

Overall very poor in my opinion.

The last game against Egypt they were hilariously unprofessional, although the first yellow the defender picked up was very harsh but I guess that evens itself out by the keeper not been sent off for trying to headbutt the ref after the penalty even though he got dismissed later in the game.

 

Algeria had:
- a pathetic game against Malawi (I'll blame it on bad preparation to the climate)
- a blee game against Mali with a minimum win
- a walkabout sightseeing borefest with Angola
- a superb match with Cote d'Ivoire
- a kickfest red-card fiesta against Egypt

Now which Algeria will we be seeing at the World Cup??? Any guesses?

 

hopefully the one that was beat 4-0 by Egypt.

it's a crying shame that Egypt a team that has won the prior 3 afrikan nations cup couldn't qualify for the world cup. i wanted to see zidan and aboutrika playing in the grandest stage of them all.

what does it tell you about the african nations when the best team the past 3 tournaments can't even qualify for the world cup?

plus if the algerian squad that lost 4-0 shows up to the WC - then USA's chances of doing well increase.

 

That a team that can hold a camp for one month prior to the tournament does better than much stronger African teams at the AFCoN? Apart from the AFCoN Egypt just really doesn't perform.

 

but to win a tournament like that 3 times in a row is no accident. if egypt is able to prepare one month before - then good for them...

it's a shame though that they couldn't get it together against algeria in the WCQ's b/c they only had 2 tough games where they lost/tied before having to face algeria in that tiebreaker...i would rather have seen egypt in the WC than algeria...

 

Egypt is a top African side. But unlike the other African sides they can't organize a month-long camp to prepare. Egypt is mostly a local team, while Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire and such are all Europe-based. Some players joined camp 7-10 days before the cup. It's enough to make the difference. That and Egypt being privy to some very preferential refereeing (save for 2008).

As to qualification Egypt had several tough matches.
Egypt - Zambia 1:1 - tough opener, but honest score
Algeria - Egypt 3:1 - Egypt gets thrashed
Rwanda - Egypt 0:1 - Egypt manages a win in a match without scoring opportunities. Goal comes slightly against run of play.
Zambia - Egypt 0:1 - EGypt gets totally dominated and Zambia swarm the Egyptian goal. Somehow Egypt has 1 shot on goal, Zambia 20, but Egypt win it with a spectacular Hosny goal.
Egypt - Algeria 2:0 - Thanks to some very beneficial refereeing Egypt manages 2:0 in the 95 minute from an offside goal.

Basically the only group match that Egypt won convicingly is with Rwanda in Egypt.

 

Let's try and keep the discussion pertaining to the thread title please. Thanks

 

I saw that game and it was far from a convincing win. The referee gave them a penalty around the 67th~ min which was 100% not a penalty and a Rwandan was red carded. They scored the 2nd goal just fine. The referee gave them 4 mins extra time and they still manage to score in the 97TH! How ridiculous is that?

 

Just saw the situation. One of the worst penalty calls ever... the GK catches the ball, the striker tumbles over the GK and guess what... penalty...

Filthy cheats... good they are not going.

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England - Algeria will be a much closer game than people expect. I actually think that this is the most likely upset on the cards... (second one being Germany getting serviced by Ghana).

 

After watching Algeria several times now, that is astronomically unlikely.

You should place a bet, the odds would be amazing on Algeria beating England.

 

They are only semi competent because they poached a load of french trained players. Its unlikely they will be able to handle the type of football we will play. A fluid 4-2-3-1 where we flood their defence from all angles.

 

Hey... its just a hunch feeling. Tactically Algeria will be sound and I can see them disrupting England. The defence line can soak up a lot of pressure, especially Bougherra.

 

We didn't see much of that in the ANC. Bougherra is a solid player but hardly top class and he won't be able to do it on his own.

 

algeria will be lucky not to get beat at least 4-0

 

and u know this because?

 

algeria are not very good compared to england?

 

is that your argument?....ok sure they are a formidable squad on paper even pegged to win the wc, but the same England hardly beat Slovenia a lil while ago and they werent all that, actually we all know it should have been a draw...am just saying nobody can predict squat in football let alone a specific score line, Algeria effectively had 6 international games in Angola to prepare for the big event with an additional 4 friendlies coming up against the likes of Ukraine and Serbia they have identified their weaknesses and strengths and will look to rebuild accordingly..., no one will be an easy meat come next Jun

 

lets see in ju ne

 

Algeria is one of those teams you don't wanna play...like morocco, egypt or any other "extreme team tactics" teams...The thing is, many of these teams don't have the same individuals as most other big countries, so they rely heavily on tactics - a lot. Even if it means negative tactics. I have seen many times how Egypt and Algeria really disrupts other teams with certain tactics....Usually they are drilled well it seems into a certain gameplan and they seem to be coached well, and normally by local coaches it seems.
I hate how they play, but they are discovering ways to neutralise opponents...basically fighting for a draw and even maybe clinching it with a counter...

 

exactly....they are one of those teams that are supposed to be hammered on paper...but then they end up being very tenacious at times....