Algeria draw 1-1 with Russia in 2014 Fifa World Cup

The high tempo possession football by Algeria dealt an early heavy blow when Feghouli received treatment for the head injury and Russia pounced from the left. Kokorin jumped to jerk-knife a header to the left top corner a perfect Kombarov cross. This should now be a boring line, that there was no pressing to the crosser and the marking on the header of the ball was very bad.

Algeria tried to crack the Russian defence by going through the middle to no avail. Russia was full of energy and hard running as they pressed high up in front. The strategy was to get as many players behind the ball as possible. They kept compact by quickly closing any gaps and options before the Africans could pounce.

The Africans played a patient game for the suitability of the occasion and that made them create less opportunities. There were a few possibilities that were not fully utilised, especially aerial balls. The Russians were content to let the Algerians shoot from way out. Their midfield job was superb as they took control of that department in terms of tight marking, intercepting, getting to the ball first and picking up the second ball. They dominated the duels and completed more quality forward passes.

The continued pacey game by Russia troubled the slow and calculative Algerians. Brute force of the Europeans team could not be matched by the desperate Africans tired their level best to wrestle the match. As they probed the right and then the left, the Russians showed some cracks as they could not cope with sleek skills, conceding free-kicks.

Feghouli won one free-kick on the right and Djabou won another on the left immediately afterwards. Brahimi took a nice right-footed delivery to the far post for Slimani to head past a sprawling Frei to level the score. There was no man to mark the scorer tight and the goalkeeper came off his line for the ball but he missed it completely.

It became an open match, action swinging from end to end. Algeria were resolute and solid closing all available spaces and clonking the balls away and Russia were committed to prying open that which stood between them and the next round. They starred directly into the barrel as the Africans pulled the trigger. Algerian passed through to join Nigeria as Africa’s representative in the last sixteen.

Algeria blast 4-2 South Korea in 2014 Fifa World Cup thriller

From the onset, Algeria carved the South Korean defence open and created two clear chances that went begging and a corner kick they wasted. They could have scored three goals by the 10^th minute. They forged forward like a hurricane and retracted to defensive positions like a tortoise into its shell when they lost possession, all men behind the ball. They occasionally proved a little careless in midfield losing possession easily.

For their part, the Koreans were slow in tracking the opponents’ runs, and their marking was questionable on several instances. They capitalised on the loose balls straying in midfield from the Africans as they entered the penalty box looking for the opening goal.

It was Algeria who found the elusive ball. They won a midfield duel, quickly sent a long ball from behind the centre circle over the central defence by Medjani, between two Koreans. Slimani chased for the ball towards goal, sandwiched by his markers, touched the ball with his tummy as he entered the penalty box, and dinked the ball over the advancing goalkeeper’s left shoulder.

The Asians did not press the passer of the ball. They were caught square and far apart. They did not tackle their man and the goalkeeper could have delayed his advance as Slimani still had the attention of the defenders. The goal spurred the Algerians on as they won a corner kick.

Djabou supplied a perfect corner to the middle of the goal. Halliche out jumped the defence to score the second. The marking was atrocious as they allowed a free header. The goalkeeper came off his line and missed the ball after misjudging the flight of the ball.

The third goal came after very quick inter-passing. There was a degree of patience on possession as Algeria grew in confidence and put their foot on the ball. In a two versus two situation, the Koreans hesitated to mark tightly and Slimani squared the ball to Djabou to score past a defenceless Sung-Ryong Jung.

The South Koreans came into the second half in serious mood and looked set to turn the game on its head. Each man put in a double shift and they fought for the each other until the equaliser came. In similar circumstances to the goal that they conceded, a long ball from the left of midfield beyond the centre line by Ki Sung Yeung hit H. Son on his back. He turned around to pick it up, turn again to face the goal and fire a shot between Rais’ legs. The marking by the Africans was suspicious as they let the Asians play the long ball. They failed to clear the ball in the penalty area.

There were two consecutive goal-scoring opportunities after that goal, but the Koreans failed to convert them. Their best spell by far of the match turned into heartache as the first threat to their goal resulted in Algeria getting the fourth. A pass across the midfield from right to left found Ibrahimi who played a wall pass with Feghouli and side-footed a shot into goal. There was too much space for the Algerian attack and no one tracked the run of the scorer.

South Korea showed a lot of determination and refused to throw in the towel. They resorted to the long ball again. It came from the left side of the midfield to the right of the central position. As the panicking Algerian defence tried to deal with the situation, the ball was squared by Lee Kuen-Ho to the middle of the penalty area, almost into the 12-yard box. Koo Ja-Choel scored from close range, placing the ball to the far post.

The match tempo remained high and both teams spared no energy in attacking each other. The determination of the Koreans kept them going to the bemusement of their opponents who thought they had supped all the joules out of the pint-sized Asians. Despite fighting for a losing cause, they put a marvellous and brave show, fought tooth and nail in midfield duels and chased each and every ball, covered for each other and above all, believed that they could get something out of the match until the final whistle.

What a match! 4-2 it ended.   

Algeria surrender points to Belgium 2-1 in 2014 Fifa World Cup

Belgium played possessional but sterile football as they stroked the ball around without any meaningful penetration. Algeria kept a very compact shape, employing all men behind the ball. They retreated into a cocoon stationed behind the centre line. They shifted across screening the ball to the wide positions but in front of them. Their midfielders formed a formidable wall as a first line of defence, with the defenders sweeping behind for each midfielder. They only engaged when the ball was being passed between Belgians, moving in very quickly to bite.

Instead of the consisted pressure in the opponents’ half, the Europeans held the key to unlock their way to victory. All they needed to do is to create space behind the Africans’ defence and go wide around the wings for crosses. This could easily be achieved by playing the ball in their own half and invite Algeria to move out of their good defending positions and then go around the defence. Algeria depended on counter attacks.

Winning the ball around the centre circle, they placed a pass in the left pocket and delivered a pinpoint cross by Ghoulam that eluded the two central defenders and bounced in the penalty box. Vertonghen tracked Feghouli’s run on the far post and bungled the Algerian from the back. The referee awarded a penalty kick and yellow carded the Belgian. The Algerian rose, dusted himself and calmly beat the giant Atletico Madrid goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois who dived the wrong way.

The second half saw the Algerians alter their tactics to suit the Belgian football. They moved their engagement line a little up field, opening a reasonable gap between the goalkeeper and the defence. The Europeans did not make much use of the space, though they seemed to find their mojo as their rhythm became more fluid. That window of opportunity vanished for a moment as they failed to recognise and use the possible fatal tactical weakness.

Algeria could have regrouped and retained their compactness reducing spaces between the defenders and between each unit (defence, midfield and attack). The contraction could frustrate the Belgians even more as they resorted to committing fouls and playing long balls from midfield down the flanks. One such long ball got to a crossing position and Manchester United’s Fellaini met the cross with precision to beat Rais M’Bolhi for the equaliser.  

Until then, M’Bolhi, the Algerian goalkeeper had many shot-stopping sessions, only efficiently dealing with a real threat from substitute Divock Origi. After the equaliser, the Algerian orientation was out of the window. They panicked and opened more spaces at the back and became extremely vulnerable.

To their detriment, they lost possession in the attacking area hoping for a free kick. Hazard raced half the pitch and picked the intelligent run of Mertens on the right in a three versus two situation. The substitute met and controlled the ball and finished with a ferocious shot to the roof of the net. Thenceforth, Algeria had fewer men behind the ball while Belgium found all the gaps to play the ball and run into.

After all the first time trouble, it became all so easy in the end for the star-studded Belgium side that fielded Dembele, Vertonghen, Lukaku, Kompany, Chadli, Witsel, and still had the luxury of Origi, Januzaj. Mignolet and Fellaini among many on the bench. It must be said that the Algerians had control of the match but threw it away.

North Arab Africa failed at the AFOCN 2013, why?

Ghana and Cameroon won the Afcon four times each, Nigeria and Democratic Republic of Congo twice, while the Egyptians had it seven times, including that incredible popular hat-trick.

Other champions since 1957 are Tunisia, Congo, Zambia, South Africa, Ethiopia, Sudan, Algeria and Ivory Coast.

Let us remember the losing finalists as well for a change. Ghana and Nigeria lead the pack by having been there four times each, Ivory Coast, Zambia, Sudan, Cameroon and Tunisia lost the finals twice each.

Egypt lost the final once in 1962. They were third thrice. Nigeria were seven times number three while Ivory Coast and Zambia achieved that four and three times respectively.

Ten times did the north Arab Africa lift the trophy, making them the most successful region in Africa. This is a total of the Egyptians (7), Moroccans (1), Algerians (1) and Tunisians (1) champion titles.

Cameroon (4), DRC (2) and Congo (1) representing Central Africa won it seven times. This equalled the West African titles of Ghana (4), Nigeria (2), Ivory Coast (1). Sudan and Ethiopia got two titles for East Africa as did South Africa and Zambia for the Southern African region.

At the quarter-final stage of the 2013 Afcon in South Africa, there are seven West African countries and the hosts, South Africa left. Besides, even at club level, the north Africans have won the continental title on 26 occasions since the inception of the African club championship.

It may not be a trend but what happened in this Afcon that led to the elimination of the game’s power houses? Let us look at the luck of the draw.

Algeria and Tunisia were grouped together and toiled hard to eliminate each other. Both could have qualified but they played bad football, especially Algeria. Morocco engaged the hosts and minnows Cape Verde as well as Angola. They were tipped to top the group.

Algeria were rated the second best team in Africa, passing the ball well and moving forward quickly in smooth transitions. There was not much to separate them from their French speaking neighbours.

A world-class last minute strike robbed them of victory as they did not have time to respond. Actually, they did not need to have been in that situation. At worst Algeria could have done was to have a lead they failed to protect. They were supposed to hit the net and more than once. As all other northerners, their downfall was what is usually their strength – the excessive speed.

All Arabic countries played too many players ahead of the ball. This comes basically from the passion of the things they do rather than the speed of thought. The eagerness and anticipation never materialised as the opposing teams closed the men on the ball too quickly.

This made it impossible to deliver the early balls from crossing positions and denied the five passes following the winning of possession. The seven seconds counter-attacking window elapsed quickly for them.

If ever there was delivery of the ball, it was a shade too late. In few instances where the delivery was on time and at the right areas, the haste to deal with the ball let them down. More often than not, they were always caught napping by counter-counter-attacks of the opposition.

In their bid to get on their bikes to attack very fast and in large numbers, their rear was exposed tremendously. These were obvious in the matches involving Algeria versus Togo, Tunisia versus Togo as well as Morocco versus South Africa.

Usually, teams would keep enough resources at the back to deal with speedy players and systematic counter-attacks. By hook or crook, and maybe fluke too, the 2013 Afcon teams were well prepared to deal with counter-attacking football.

One cannot really place a finger on whether the failure of Egypt to be at the tournament had anything to do with countering the counter-attack. By contracts, the Ethiopians patiently attacked their opposition despite their naivety in being too casual at the back and depending on being just too timid.

To have a productive processes in the pipeline, the Arabs were better off playing the Ethiopian way because they concentrate well and they are solid at the back. This would then allow them to play behind the ball, save for an attacker or two.

The pace of the attack can increase and yield results if they ran at opponents, exactly the way Tottenham Hotspurs’ Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon would tear defences down. They have the capacities to play that way, but they failed dismally in their endeavours.

With Africa, one never knows if change is here to stay. One day, the winds of change will flow south and then east. Morocco failed to register a win, Algeria could only find the net in their last match in which they relinquished the a healthy 2-0 lead to afford the Ivory Coast a 2-2 draw. Tunisia managed a 1-0 victory over Algeria, a 1-1 draw with Togo despite that 3-0 drubbing by Ivory Coast.
 

Ivory Coast qualify as Togo eliminates Algeria

Yaya Toure did not need my endorsement to pull off a coup, in a match in which Gevinho was man-of-the-match and Didier Drogba started from the bench. The three-gun salute handed to the Tunisians followed the four goal salvo we saw 24 hours ago when Burkina Faso blasted Ethiopia.

The African Footballer of the Year does not need me as a fan, but nonetheless, he is making good progress in impressing me. I don't doubt his quality but the problem is me. A few flashes of tactical awareness as well as unquestioned individual brilliance did not convince me that Africans can compete outside their sphere of influence.

There were pockets of good decision-making, obviously a result of the experience these players gained in the Barclays English Premier League and the French League. Where decisions were bad, the execution of technique cancelled matters out, given the opposition did not capitalise to punish the wrong decisions.

It was a solid and round performance by African standards, but still lacked the tactical maturity of the game at national levels. Tunisia had hoped to steal something out of the match with Drogba benched.

The former Chelsea cult hero came on and nearly registered his first 2013 Afcon goal. He proved a thorn as his presence led to that Yaya goal after Gervinho had short the Elephants ahead in the first half, and when Tiote scored with his first touch after coming on, it was a master stroke.

Algeria huffed and puffed firing blanks as they have done in their build-up to the tournament, as well as the 2010 Fifa World Cup. I cannot remember the last time they hit the net in a tournament. Their adversaries, Togo, started slowly, sizing up their way up.

The Togolese always played the inaccurate long ball, which was spot on just on one occasion and Emmanuel Adebayour punished them, beating the goalkeeper on a one versus one.

It was a basic route one football, a long ball from the back and then a ping-pong heading tennis from Adebayour to  Romao onhis left and then to Adebayour’s path. The tall Tottenham Hotspur striker outpaced the defender and slotted the ball under advancing goalie.

A physical battle in midfield ensued and that brutality led to several claims by the North Africans for penalties. The referees did not bow down to pressure. Algeria forced their way into the final third often but failed to direct the final pass or the shots.

As the attack swarmed the Togolese penalty area, it seemed the desperate attempts would yield something for the Algerians but it was vain attempts. It was until the drama of the broken goalpost that stole the show in the last five minutes.

The upright post broke at the base and the wobbling posts and nets had to be replaced, though it took far too long. To add unsolicited drama, the match officials played the five minutes and then added thirteen more minutes.

That gave Togo one more counter-attacking opportunity. A through pass from the centre circle was chased by substitute Wome, who had a few touches and slotted the ball once again, under the advancing goalkeeper to make it 2-0.

The Algerians became the first team to be eliminated while the Ivoirians were the first to qualify with their 100% records each.

AFCON 2013; How scoring a goal is criminal

At the conclusion of the first round matches, there is not much we have not seen or said. The game level remains a huge concern and the cutting edge is missing. I eagerly awaited the Arab-African football hoping for a surprise treat. It was more of the same.

This gives me the opportunity of writing less on more important issues. Cote D’voire and Togo produced more than 2 goals in a match that featured the best of African stars. Yaya Toure opened the scoring and Gevinho scored one of the best goals of the tournament to beat Emanuel Adebayor’s Togo 2-1.

It was from Yaya’s lofted curling free-kick that was volleyed by the outside of the right foot on the left side to the roof of the net by the Arsenal man. It was until the injury time of the Algeria versus Tunisia that Gevinho’s gem had a rival contender of the best goal.

Tunisia were subdued and arm twisted in the later match. A moment of brilliance saw the ball being rifled from 40 yards out into the right top corner in a stunner that will be hard to emulate. It was a goal of class worth winning any match.

This brings me to a point I once made about the game of football. Fifa always insisted on the human element of the game in refusing goal-line video technology. The same human element of the game is the emotions that go with the success of the ultimate aim; to score goals.

Even sexual orgasm is known to have less effect on a man than scoring a goal. Fifa expects the players to then sit down and decide whether to pull off the short or not. They want all concerned to think of their actions after that feat.

The important goals scored in the tense matches count for everything to the individuals and the teams. The spontaneity of the reflex is one element Fifa must understand and redress. While the argument has been about the messages on the under shirts with varying and offensive messages, it does not hold water.

Many thought it was an issue with visual sexual assault on women. Others argue that if allowed to go on unpunished, other players will remove their shorts and underwear. All are valid arguments, but there are many women attracted to the game by the prospect of ‘body viewing’, the same reason men get attracted to women tennis.

As for the messages on undershirts, remember Mario Balotelli’s ‘Why always me’. The shirt does not have to come out, but we read the messages. If the officials and indeed Fifa, think that it is unsporting behaviour or ungentle-manly conduct, it is absurd and crazy to be polite.

The game is about goals and most of them, the explosiveness of the emotion and release of adrenalin cannot be measured or controlled. If Fifa do not know that, they do not what they are running.      

The DRC goalkeeper, Kidiaba’s celebrations are the talk of the town. The bum-bump dance of the eccentric figure has been entertainment, thanks to the DRC’s two goals. We’ve seen that before but then, Fifa medical/sports medicine department could ban the move as being detrimental to the health of his seating cushions.

You cannot control the emotions at all times, though is Kid’s case, it’s a little bit of a show, as one can see from the beard and the hair. He is a masterpiece, as a creature.

The point is that the scorers of the best goals find themselves booked and miss the opportunity to dish out more stuff after the cautions. There are moments when the yellow card does not matter as the players are overcame by everything. The problem is that it counts against one as a discipline issue, rated along dangerous play.

 

Egypt, Algeria Beat By Minors. Ghana, Zimbabwe, South Africa In Draws.

An undisciplined Ghana team failed to stamp their authority in Kumasi. They were a pale shadow of the team Africa and the world fell in love with during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Sudan, for their part, were arrogantly patient and not giving the Black Stars any respect.

The Sudanese team could not thread the right final ball in their counter attacks. They won all their tackles and combats outsides the penalty box, giving Ghana lots of free kicks that they  fluffed. The missed dead ball situations that could have been converted were not utilised as each one of them was taken by a different player. That is an element of indiscipline of the first degree.

With about 10 minutes to go, Asamoah Gyan was red-carded for an unclear offense. Goalkeeper Kingson was involved several times to deal with long Sudanese balls. It was a well deserved draw for Sudan, who will fancy their chances against the more illustrious opponents.

Algeria lost 0-2 to Central African Republic in one of the shock results of AFCON qualifier. Record 6 times winners and defending champions were well beaten by Niger in Niger. Zimbabwe and Cape Verde, like the Sierra Leone  versus South Africa match, did not produce any goals. Congo beat Swaziland by 3 goals to 1.

Egypt, Algeria Beat By Minors. Ghana, Zimbabwe, South Africa In Draws.

An undisciplined Ghana team failed to stamp their authority in Kumasi. They were a pale shadow of the team Africa and the world fell in love with during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Sudan, for their part, were arrogantly patient and not giving the Black Stars any respect.

The Sudanese team could not thread the right final ball in their counter attacks. They won all their tackles and combats outsides the penalty box, giving Ghana lots of free kicks that they  fluffed. The missed dead ball situations that could have been converted were not utilised as each one of them was taken by a different player. That is an element of indiscipline of the first degree.

With about 10 minutes to go, Asamoah Gyan was red-carded for an unclear offense. Goalkeeper Kingson was involved several times to deal with long Sudanese balls. It was a well deserved draw for Sudan, who will fancy their chances against the more illustrious opponents.

Algeria lost 0-2 to Central African Republic in one of the shock results of AFCON qualifier. Record 6 times winners and defending champions were well beaten by Niger in Niger. Zimbabwe and Cape Verde, like the Sierra Leone  versus South Africa match, did not produce any goals. Congo beat Swaziland by 3 goals to 1.

Egypt, Algeria Beat By Minors. Ghana, Zimbabwe, South Africa In Draws.

An undisciplined Ghana team failed to stamp their authority in Kumasi. They were a pale shadow of the team Africa and the world fell in love with during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Sudan, for their part, were arrogantly patient and not giving the Black Stars any respect.

The Sudanese team could not thread the right final ball in their counter attacks. They won all their tackles and combats outsides the penalty box, giving Ghana lots of free kicks that they  fluffed. The missed dead ball situations that could have been converted were not utilised as each one of them was taken by a different player. That is an element of indiscipline of the first degree.

With about 10 minutes to go, Asamoah Gyan was red-carded for an unclear offense. Goalkeeper Kingson was involved several times to deal with long Sudanese balls. It was a well deserved draw for Sudan, who will fancy their chances against the more illustrious opponents.

Algeria lost 0-2 to Central African Republic in one of the shock results of AFCON qualifier. Record 6 times winners and defending champions were well beaten by Niger in Niger. Zimbabwe and Cape Verde, like the Sierra Leone  versus South Africa match, did not produce any goals. Congo beat Swaziland by 3 goals to 1.

Egypt, Algeria Beat By Minors. Ghana, Zimbabwe, South Africa In Draws.

An undisciplined Ghana team failed to stamp their authority in Kumasi. They were a pale shadow of the team Africa and the world fell in love with during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Sudan, for their part, were arrogantly patient and not giving the Black Stars any respect.

The Sudanese team could not thread the right final ball in their counter attacks. They won all their tackles and combats outsides the penalty box, giving Ghana lots of free kicks that they  fluffed. The missed dead ball situations that could have been converted were not utilised as each one of them was taken by a different player. That is an element of indiscipline of the first degree.

With about 10 minutes to go, Asamoah Gyan was red-carded for an unclear offense. Goalkeeper Kingson was involved several times to deal with long Sudanese balls. It was a well deserved draw for Sudan, who will fancy their chances against the more illustrious opponents.

Algeria lost 0-2 to Central African Republic in one of the shock results of AFCON qualifier. Record 6 times winners and defending champions were well beaten by Niger in Niger. Zimbabwe and Cape Verde, like the Sierra Leone  versus South Africa match, did not produce any goals. Congo beat Swaziland by 3 goals to 1.