A goal from defender Rafik Halliche handed the Greens a victory over Mali on Thursday and restored the team's confidence.
By Abdou Tajeddine for Magharebia in Algiers – 15/01/10
Algeria evaded an embarrassing first-round exit from the 2010 African Cup of Nations by beating Mali 1-0 on Thursday (January 14th) in Luanda, erasing the memory of Monday's stunning 3-0 loss to Malawi.
Facing an early departure from the tournament, Algeria came into the first half fighting. The Fennecs controlled the pace of the game and secured more possession time as they looked for their first scoring opportunity. Midfielders Karim Ziani and Yacine Bezzaz and strikers Karim Matmour and Abdelkader Ghezzal all posted shots to the net, with no luck.
The Fennecs finally broke through when defender Rafik Halliche scored in the 43rd minute, converting a free-kick from playmaker Ziani to put the team ahead 1-0 at the end of the first half.
The Mali Eagles started the second half strongly, possessing the ball for long periods in hopes of creating a chance to equalize. The game was very nearly tied in the 52nd minute, when harried Algeria goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi blocked a shot from Mali defender Adama Tamboura.
Ziani and midfielder Hassan Yebda posted a solid second half, as did the "dangerous duo" Matmour and Ghezzal, who made several advances to the Mali goal.
The second half saw Mali step up the pressure on Algeria's goal, while the Greens dropped back to defend their lead. To bolster the defense, coach Rabah Saadane sent in Amer Bouazza for Bezzaz, Rafik Saifi for Ghezzal, and Abdelmalek Ziaya for Matmour in the 80th minute.
Mali was unable to score the equalizer, handing Algeria its first victory in two appearances at the competition. The win restored balance to the team after its surprising loss to low-seeded Malawi and gave the team the confidence it needs to continue its drive to win.
Saadane expressed delight at the team's rebound victory after Monday's debacle.
"I'm very happy about this win, especially as it came under extraordinary and extremely difficult circumstances after our players had a strong shock following the loss to Malawi," Saadane told reporters at a press conference following the game. "I said before the start of the tournament that competition in the African Cup would be very difficult – something that everyone has so far seen," added the coach. "The important thing now is to preserve the stability and spirit of team-work in order to capitalize on these factors."
Saadane said the win lets the Fennecs focus on their next match, in which they will face hosts Angola on January 18th.
Team captain Yazid Mansouri said the Greens are now back on the right path.
"The match was very difficult, especially given that we played against a strong team who has many distinguished players in their lines," he said after the match. "From our side, we achieved what is important, which is the victory and winning the three points which will help us stay on in the race to qualify to the quarter-finals."
He said the victory restored the confidence of the players after Monday's defeat.
"I think we're now required to confirm that we deserve to qualify to the World Cup, and this will only be achieved by scoring a positive result against Angola in the next match," added Mansouri.
Source: Magharebia.com.
Link: http://magharebia.com/en_GB/articles/awi/articles/2010/01/15/feature-03.
By Abdou Tajeddine for Magharebia in Algiers – 15/01/10
Algeria evaded an embarrassing first-round exit from the 2010 African Cup of Nations by beating Mali 1-0 on Thursday (January 14th) in Luanda, erasing the memory of Monday's stunning 3-0 loss to Malawi.
Facing an early departure from the tournament, Algeria came into the first half fighting. The Fennecs controlled the pace of the game and secured more possession time as they looked for their first scoring opportunity. Midfielders Karim Ziani and Yacine Bezzaz and strikers Karim Matmour and Abdelkader Ghezzal all posted shots to the net, with no luck.
The Fennecs finally broke through when defender Rafik Halliche scored in the 43rd minute, converting a free-kick from playmaker Ziani to put the team ahead 1-0 at the end of the first half.
The Mali Eagles started the second half strongly, possessing the ball for long periods in hopes of creating a chance to equalize. The game was very nearly tied in the 52nd minute, when harried Algeria goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi blocked a shot from Mali defender Adama Tamboura.
Ziani and midfielder Hassan Yebda posted a solid second half, as did the "dangerous duo" Matmour and Ghezzal, who made several advances to the Mali goal.
The second half saw Mali step up the pressure on Algeria's goal, while the Greens dropped back to defend their lead. To bolster the defense, coach Rabah Saadane sent in Amer Bouazza for Bezzaz, Rafik Saifi for Ghezzal, and Abdelmalek Ziaya for Matmour in the 80th minute.
Mali was unable to score the equalizer, handing Algeria its first victory in two appearances at the competition. The win restored balance to the team after its surprising loss to low-seeded Malawi and gave the team the confidence it needs to continue its drive to win.
Saadane expressed delight at the team's rebound victory after Monday's debacle.
"I'm very happy about this win, especially as it came under extraordinary and extremely difficult circumstances after our players had a strong shock following the loss to Malawi," Saadane told reporters at a press conference following the game. "I said before the start of the tournament that competition in the African Cup would be very difficult – something that everyone has so far seen," added the coach. "The important thing now is to preserve the stability and spirit of team-work in order to capitalize on these factors."
Saadane said the win lets the Fennecs focus on their next match, in which they will face hosts Angola on January 18th.
Team captain Yazid Mansouri said the Greens are now back on the right path.
"The match was very difficult, especially given that we played against a strong team who has many distinguished players in their lines," he said after the match. "From our side, we achieved what is important, which is the victory and winning the three points which will help us stay on in the race to qualify to the quarter-finals."
He said the victory restored the confidence of the players after Monday's defeat.
"I think we're now required to confirm that we deserve to qualify to the World Cup, and this will only be achieved by scoring a positive result against Angola in the next match," added Mansouri.
Source: Magharebia.com.
Link: http://magharebia.com/en_GB/articles/awi/articles/2010/01/15/feature-03.
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