World Cup no-hopers Algeria can thank their lucky stars that they will be involved in South Africa as they left a more rounded and technically superior Egypt side biting the dust in a qualifying tiebreaker.
Algeria, nicknamed Les Fennecs – meaning The Desert Foxes – were perhaps fortuitous with a 1-0 win over their African counterparts to determine who would be getting on the plane to South Africa, after both sides and finished deadlocked on points and goal difference in their African Group qualifying section.
Egypt’s apparent supremacy was underlined when they pummelled the Algerians 4-0 in the semi-final of the 2010 African Cup of Nations a few months later but they failed to do the business when it really mattered so the Algerians will take their place in a World Cup tournament for the first time in 24 years.
Excluding Honduras and New Zealand, Algeria are the biggest outsiders out of the entire 32 nations who will compete, and are drawn in a group with England, Slovenia and USA who should all have the measure of any team they put out on the field.
Star player: Nadir Belhadj
Nadir Belhadj is one of just a handful of Algeria players to establish himself in to the Premier League.
Belhadj joined Portsmouth in 2008 on a season-long loan and the left-back was made permanent with the club at the beginning of the season just ended. He’s made 32 appearances for Pompey this season and pops up with an odd goal every now and then.
The 27-year-old French-born defender, who has 43 international caps to date, will harness the Algerians at the back and gives the side an edge on the wing.
Nadir Belhadj in action or his club Portsmouth.
Manager: Rabah Saâdane
The 64-year-old Algerian head coach has been there, done that and got the tee-shirt before with the national team, who he managed at the World Cup in Mexico ’86. This is his third period in charge of Algeria, having first taken over in 1981.
Prediction: Group stage exit
Zero wins, zero points, zero chance. That’s the way JOE sees it and by the looks of it the bookies are with us too.
Odds: 600/1
Irishness rating: 7/10
They are coming to Dublin on 28 May for a friendly in preparation for the World Cup. It’s kind of rubbing salt into the wounds to see them hit off for a South Africa World Cup while we have to stay at home and shout for an adopted nation. By the way, have you got one yet?
If they were a car they’d be…
Fiat 500 – Just like Algeria it’s got something to prove. A small guy mixing it with the big boys.
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