Algeria suffered a 2-1 defeat in their opening game against Belgium, but the Fennec Foxes showed plenty of promise, especially during a first half in which they deservedly took the lead through a Sofiane Feghouli penalty.
To lose from a winning position will have been a big blow to the Algerians, but they are still in a position to progress from Group H, and here’s why:
Vahid Halilhodzic has unfinished World Cup business
Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic was sacked after guiding Ivory Coast to the 2010 World Cup, and vowed to never manage an African side again. Luckily for Algeria he reversed that decision, and he is determined to make a mark in Brazil. His tactics against Belgium were sensibly quite defensive, but against South Korea and Russia expect much more attacking play. Under the Bosnian, Algeria have scored consecutively in their last 13 games.
South Korea have struggled against African opposition recently
The Taeguk Warriors are Algeria’s next opponents, and they entered the tournament on the back of warm-up defeats to Tunisia and Ghana. South Korea have also conceded a total of 11 goals in their last five games, and they are no longer the disciplined side we are used to seeing in World Cup football. Their game with Russia will be a better indication of where they are at, but Algeria will go into their clash with no fear.
Algeria have won three of their last four against European opposition
Russia are the team fancied to grab second spot in Group H, but Algeria should be full of confidence when the two sides meet in Curitiba. So far in 2014, the Fennec Foxes have defeated Slovenia, Armenia and Romania, with the latter two victories coming away from their Blida stronghold. The last European team to defeat Algeria was Bosnia and Herzegovina, all the way back in 2012.
Algeria have a dangerous attack
Algeria’s attacking duo of Sofiane Feghouli and Hilal Soudani are hardly household names, but between them they have scored 17 goals in 35 caps. Feghouli in particular gave Belgium’s defence a lot of problems, and his pace and trickery will be a threat to Russia and South Korea. Comfortable with both feet, Feghouli was key member of the Valencia squad who made it to the semi-finals of the Europe League in 2013/14.
Islam Slimani should start against South Korea and Russia
Islam Slimani is the reigning Algerian Footballer of the Year, but he was sacrificed for a more reserved approach against Belgium. When he did enter the field as a late substitute he had little service, but Slimani has scored 11 goals in 18 caps, and the Sporting Lisbon man is likely to unleashed in Algeria’s remaining fixtures. Nicknamed ‘Super Slim’, the 25-year-old was playing third division Algerian football in 2009, before his meteoric rise to the top under Halilhodzic.
