World Cup Team Guide: Algeria

Algeria / Dave Farrar / 13 May 2010 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet

Mourad Meghni may not be the new Zidane but he's a pretty good player

Algeria showed plenty of desire and resilience in qualifying for the World Cup and there are a few quality players scattered around this squad but things will be far from easy in a pretty competitive group.

"Algeria will also feel that they have the chance to build momentum, with an opening game against Slovenia followed by a test against England and what they hope will be a second place decider against the USA. And if it does come down to a one off game, don’t be at all surprised if Algeria find a way to battle through. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time."

One thing that Algeria will not lack at this World Cup is desire. They showed bundles of that in wresting the final African place at the tournament from Egypt, and even though their North African rivals gained a measure of revenge in a controversial Cup of Nations semi final, Algeria have the prize of a first World Cup appearance for 24 years.

When you look at their squad, you do wonder how on earth they managed to do it. Home form had an impact, as they were excellent in winning all six of their home games in qualifying, but it's their spirit that really shone through, and while they can boil over on occasion and show rampant indiscipline, if they can channel their energies in the right way then they have a good chance of grabbing second place, presuming that England win the group.

Some of the names in their squad may appear to be fairly humdrum, but there is quality scattered around, and the beginnings of a pretty good spine in the shape of Yahia, Bougherra, Mansouri and Ziani. Algeria will also feel that they have the chance to build momentum, with an opening game against Slovenia followed by a test against England and what they hope will be a second place decider against the USA. And if it does come down to a one off game, don't be at all surprised if Algeria find a way to battle through. It certainly wouldn't be the first time.

Coach: Rabah Saadane

If you like your coaches experienced, then this is your man. Saadane is now in his fifth spell in charge of the national team and is out to exorcise the ghosts of 1986, when he took charge of the team which was eliminated after failing to gain a single point.
Key Players

Antar Yahia

Yahia will forever have legendary status in his home country after scoring the play off goal which put Algeria into the World Cup. If that was his headline grabbing moment, there were plenty of lower key contributions which would be just as significant and helpful to the cause. The man from Bochum is the rock on which Saadane's back line is built, and his two other goals in qualifying show his use going forward at set pieces.

Mourad Meghni

Meghni was part of the generation of French footballers which was supposed to seamlessly fit into the shoes of the team that won the 1998 World Cup. The group of players did terrifically at youth level, but they haven't sparkled in the seniors as much as they might have, and Meghni has taken his potential to be the "new Zidane" to Algeria. Injuries have been a terrible problem for him and he certainly doesn't share Zizou's underrated toughness, but if he gets there fit, and if Saadane has faith in him, then he could turn out to be Algeria's creator in chief.

Karim Matmour

Matmour may have only scored once in qualifying, but his hard running has been an important part of Saadane's gameplan, and his experience in the Bundesliga makes him an important part of the squad. A look at Meghni and Matmour and you have Algeria's style in a nutshell. Grace mixed with grit, and it may just be enough to take them through.

Recommended Bet: Algeria 3-5 Group Points @ [2.9]

Tags: Algeria World Cup team, Algerian players, Karim Matmour, Mourad Meghni, World Cup bets, World Cup Group A