Algeria hoping to break new territory at 2014 World Cup

Algeria’s players hope to finally come out of the shadow of the 1982 World Cup team, which is still considered the nation’s best after beating European champions West Germany in their opening group game.

That remains the nation’s finest performance on the international stage – not to mention one of the biggest World Cup upsets in history – and every Algeria squad have failed to live up to it since.

The bitterness of that tournament, where a seemingly contrived result between Austria and Germany in their final group match qualified both of them at the expense of the Algerians, is still keenly felt among fans and continues to fuel passionate debate.

That Algeria team contained genuine stars, such as skillful forwards Rabah Madjer and Mustapha Dahleb, and the outstanding Lakhdar Belloumi in midfield.

This year’s team does not have any players of similar ability, with only winger Sofiane Feghouli coming close.

Since the heady days of the 1980s, Algeria have found success hard to come by on the international stage and are without a major trophy since winning the African Cup of Nations in 1990, although they did reach the African Cup semi-finals in 2010, where they were routed by Egypt 4-0.

This will be Algeria’s fourth World Cup, the other appearances coming in 1986 and four years ago in South Africa, where a well-drilled side held Fabio Capello’s highly-fancied England to a 0-0 draw.

But while Algeria were solid in defence, conceding only two goals in three group games, they lacked invention, failing to score a goal and finishing last after losing to Slovenia and the United States, both 1-0.

This year’s experienced side is shaped around CSKA Sofia goalkeeper Rais M’Bolhi and rugged centere half and captain Madjid Bougherra, with Foued Kadri and promising 19-year-old Nabil Bentaleb as the main creative talents in midfield. Dinamo Zagreb forward El Arbi Hillel Soudani remains the best finisher in attack.

Bentaleb’s age may work against him, though, with Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic perhaps reluctant to start him in such a big tournament.

They will head to Brazil with spirits high, however, after dominating their group in qualifying, winning five of six matches and finishing seven points ahead of Mali.

The problem the 61-year-old Halilhodzic faces is that Algeria’s World Cup group looks even harder than four years ago, with Belgium, Russia and South Korea standing in the way.

Algeria will need to summon the spirit of ‘82 to pull off an upset against Belgium in their opening match on June 17. If they do, then finally the fans will have some new idols to revere.

Realistically, another early exit looks more likely.

Under coach Vahid Halilhodzic, Algeria have more flair and score more goals.

The well-organised and technically assured side starts at the back, where Madjid Bougherra runs the defence. At full back, Faouzi Ghoulam has also impressed.

The main attacking threat comes from Sofiane Feghouli, who is arguably the team’s best player. Halilhodzic will be counting on him to unlock defences in Brazil.

Here are five players to watch:

Sofiane Feghouli – Sofiane Feghouli is Algeria’s most skillful player and has proven himself in Spain over the past few seasons with some impressive performances at Valencia.

The 24-year-old winger played for France’s Under-21 side and was even close to a call-up for the senior team before pledging his allegiance to Algeria. Coach Vahid Halilhodzic gave him his international debut three years ago.

The Parisian-born Feghouli, who has scored five goals in 17 international appearances, has everything to trouble defenders: pace, skill, passing and an eye for goal. But he has also been plagued by inconsistency.

Faouzi Ghoulam – Like Sofiane Feghouli, French-born Faouzi Ghoulam chose Algeria after playing for France’s Under-21 team.

A quick, skillful left back who likes to push forward, Feghouli made his Algeria debut last March during World Cup qualifying and set up a goal in a 3-1 win over Benin.

At club level, he came through the youth ranks at Saint-Etienne and soon became a first team regular. His impressive performances earned him a high-profile move to Serie A, where he plays for Napoli.

His older brother, Nabil Ghoulam, represented France in cross-country running at the world championships in 2004.

Madjid Bougherra – Algeria captain Madjid Bougherra has been a mainstay in central defence over the past 10 years.

One of his best performances for Algeria was against England at the last World Cup, where he kept striker Wayne Rooney at bay as underdog Algeria secured a 0-0 draw.

The 31-year-old Bougherra has played more than 60 times for his country, scoring four goals, but the rugged defender’s club career has been more successful. He won three straight league titles with Scottish club Rangers and was a fan favourite before being sold to Lekhwiya, where he scored on his debut and won the Qatar Stars League in his first season.

Rafik Djebbour – Rafik Djebbour has yet to carry his club form over to the international scene.

He has found it easy to score at club level, however, netting 39 league goals in 56 games for Greek side Olympiakos. The going has been harder in England’s second division and so far he has struggled for games and goals since joining Nottingham Forest from Turkish team Sivasspor in January.

At 30 years old, time is running out for Djebbour to make his mark on the international stage.

El Arbi Hillel Soudani – El Arbi Hillel Soudani has impressed this season with some solid performances for Dinamo Zagreb and several goals for Algeria.

The 26-year-old Soudani can play all across the attack and is more of a clinical finisher than Rafik Djebbour. He has scored 10 goals in 20 appearances for Algeria, including the winner in a 1-0 victory over Mali in World Cup qualifying last September.

After two seasons with Portuguese club Vitoria Guimaraes, where he scored fairly regularly despite often being on the bench, Soudani made his mark in the Croatian league by grabbing 12 goals in his first 17 starts.

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