PORTO ALEGRE // There was crass talk this week that Africa had used up all its World Cup credit four years ago. How else should we explain this summer’s wretched performances by Cameroon, the all-too-predictable capitulation by Ivory Coast, the ridiculous live coverage of US$3 million being transported to the Ghanaian team to pay appearance fees or the threats of a training boycott by Nigeria ahead of their last-16 tie with France?
Yet finally – heroically – Algeria provided a positive to remember about Africa's involvement in this absorbing tournament in Brazil. After becoming the first side from their continent to score four times in a World Cup match and then progressing to the knock-out stages for the first time in their history, Vahid Halilhodzic's team added another memorable achievement with a superhuman effort against a Germany side many expect to lift the trophy on July 13.
For the latest reports, comment and reaction from Brazil, visit thenational.ae/worldcup
On Monday, under the cold night sky of Porto Alegre, the Desert Foxes did not rely on cunning as they stood toe-to-toe with one of the world’s great footballing juggernauts. They instead showed the age-old characteristics of all teams deserving of unerring respect: spirit, determination, belief and and an ability to, together, transform into more than the sum of their parts.
There is no shame in the fact the Arab world's only representatives lost – 2-1 after extra time. Instead there should be great pride in the way they played. This is a team that throughout the line-up, from goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi to forward El Arabi Soudani, proved their conviction and confirmed they deserved to be among the last 16 teams at this World Cup.
Were it not for a frustrating lack of finishing in the opening 20 minutes, Algeria could have pulled off a win that would have been impossible to call undeserved.
They swarmed the pitch, they poked and probed, they regularly outpaced their superior opponents before eventually falling to two extra-time goals.
Yet never let it be said they ran out of steam. Even as the referee was putting his whistle to his lips after 120 minutes, Algeria were rampaging forward to fire an unstoppable drive past Manuel Neuer.
Sure, they go home, but they do so with their heads held high and a bright future beckoning. Madjid Bougherra, the country’s captain, was already talking of winning the African Cup of Nations in 2015 and so well he should be.
If Algeria continue to show the passion and persistence they produced in Porto Alegre, they will arrive in Morocco as favourites. And surely leave as champions.
gmeenaghan@thenational.ae
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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The rules of the road keeping cyclists safe
Cyclists must wear a helmet, arm and knee pads
Have a white front-light and a back red-light on their bike
They must place a number plate with reflective light to the back of the bike to alert road-users
Avoid carrying weights that could cause the bike to lose balance
They must cycle on designated lanes and areas and ride safe on pavements to avoid bumping into pedestrians
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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