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The Desert Foxes didn’t have it easy in Blida but Rafik Saifi’s all important goal means they’ve defeated the Copper Bullets and are still top of their CAF World Cup Qualifying Group. |
Algeria began the match pressing Zambia hard and Khaled Lemmouchia had the first chance, but his shot from outside the penalty area went wide.
The locals were controlling the run of play with short passes while the Zambians resorted to using on long balls in the hopes of flustering the Algerian defence, which did well to hold firm.
Despite the pressure being exerted by the home team, it was Zambia that ended up with the better look at goal in the early going, but their chance was wasted by the usually lethal Chris Katongo and cleared by an Algerian defender.
As if sensing that the Zambians were not going to give in easily, the North Africans pressed on again and two successive chances were created by Karim Ziani and then Karim Matmour, the first of which was saved and the second of which blazed over the crossbar.
In the 16th minute, Ziani took a free kick that was met by Anthar Yahia who rose above surrounding opponents and team-mates but his header was off target.
The Copper Bullets’ Homnde Hichani was lucky not to be shown a yellow card three minutes later when he brought down the Wolfsburg midfielder from behind. The challenge left the Algerian playmaker visibly hurt, but he continued to play.
Zambia created their first corner kick of the match in the 21st minute, when a lofted ball went over the opposition’s midfield and landed at Chipolopolo forward, whose strike was deflected by Yahia.
The Southern Africans had two other successive corner attempts immediately after, but each found Algerian defenders instead of their intended targets.
Seeing their team under some pressure, the supporters in the Mustapha Tchaker stadium began chanting and offering more vocal support to Rabah Saadane’s men, who were bending but not breaking. However, their vivid support seemed to be falling on deaf ears as it was Zambia that once again threatened this time through Felix Katongo.
It was clear for all to see that the Algerian team was making things harder on themselves by relying on uncharacteristic long balls, instead of their usual technical short passing game and crisp ball movement.
Then after a period of doubt, the North Africans returned to their gameplan and in the 32nd minute the stadium erupted thinking that Rafik Saifi had scored the opener on a set play, but the referee immediately waved it off for a dubious foul on Yahia as the ball was in mid flight, much to the ire of the Blida crowd.
The Zambians were determined to not allow the hosts to play their trademark football and were doing so by piling on the fouls and looking for quick counters that ultimately were not bearing fruit.
As Herve Renard had predicted prior to the match, Algeria’s best chances were almost exclusively coming on free kicks but the efficiency was sorely lacking for the entirety of the first half besides for Saifi’s effort which wasn’t allowed to stand.
In the second half the same scenario began playing out except this time with Lazio’s Mourad Meghni entering the fray as he was substituted into the match.
The locals immediately began pressing forward but once again saw their efforts thwarted either by their own lack of a final killer touch or the physicality of their opponents.
In the 51st minute Algeria dodged a bullet as the referee made another mistake when he waved off a Zambian goal for an inexistent offside.
Lacking solutions in attack, Ziani tried his luck from distance in the 55th minute but his powerful strike didn’t find the target. Saifi did much better shortly after, albeit from much closer range, when Algeria’s first successfully built attack was concluded by his acrobatic left footed volley that gave his side the much desired lead.
As expected, the goal had a liberating effect on the encounter with Algeria taking the upper hand. Herve Renard looked to counter their improving play by taking off Jonas Sakuhawa in favor of James Chamanga.
The Frenchman’s team looked to bounce back but were finding difficulty dealing with the well placed backline of their North African opponents.
With time slowly running out and knowing that a loss would seriously dent their World Cup hopes, Renard went for broke by putting in Given Singuluma. The move nearly paid dividends but a Zambian header went begging.
As if it was a warning, the Algerians responded with some fine interplay that led to Abdelkader Ghezzal’s vicious shot but the ball slammed off the crossbar before falling to Meghni who’s impressive scissor kick on the rebound also didn’t find the net.
Zaoui wasted a golden opportunity to seal the match in the 80th minute when he bizarrely missed the target from point blank range when he was clearly through on goal after great work from Kamel Ghilas.
Zambia’s Henry Banda could’ve spoiled the party in the 84th minute when a clever play led to a rare open shot for his side but the finish was lacking accuracy and resulted in a goal kick. The same player had a similar effort lead to the same result merely four minutes later.
That was the last scare the home fans were made to endure as the Fennecs held on to win the encounter by the smallest of margins.
Their players will not mind that they weren’t able to add to their lead though as the three points keep them in the driving seat of Group C with two matches left to go. They are currently on 10 points and three clear of closest rivals Egypt.
Rami Ayari, Goal.com - Algerianamericans.com - Sept. 8, 2009
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where can we see EGYPT Vs ALGERIA around new york ,on november the 14 th ? Salam Alikoum, On the the 14 th of november, we will be in NY , we are coming from Paris and we are looking coffee, restaurant or any venue where we can watch the match. I would appreciate if u could help us by givin us an exact adress. Many thanks in advance. Malek |
TOUFIK
said:
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Thanks to the Fennecs i'd like to thank all the member of our team, they are making a lot of efforts to go to south Africa. i just hope that Zambia will play against Egypt with the same level as they played against us. if they do so, the Egyptian team will certainly go home... Toufik |
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