By George Burns, DPA,
Polokwane, South Africa : Algeria and Slovenia kick off their World Cup football campaign with a Group C clash in Polokwane Sunday knowing anything less than victory could virtually scupper their qualification chances before the tournament has got into its stride.
With England strong favourites to progress as group winners and Confederations Cup finalists United States tipped to occupy the second qualifying spot, both Algeria and Slovenia know defeat could deal an almost fatal blow to their World Cup hopes.
However, having made it to South Africa at the expense of reigning African champions Egypt, winning 1-0 in neutral Omdurman thanks to an Anther Yahia goal, Algeria will be confident of making a winning tart at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
A 3-0 defeat to Ireland hardly proved the ideal build-up for Algeria but Rabah Saadane’s side at least got a morale-boosting 1-0 victory against the United Arab Emirates in their final warm-up match.
“England and the US are definitely the group favourites, but it’s difficult to say who’ll progress,” said Saadane ahead of Algeria’s third finals following appearances in 1982 and 1986.
“A good result in our first game is enormously important for us.”
The Desert Foxes’ path to South Africa has at times been a rough one, not least when their bus was attacked by rock-throwing Egyptian supporters before a qualifier in Cairo.
“I feared for my life,” admitted Borussia Moenchengladbach midfielder Karim Matmour, adding that the incident had strengthened the Algerian squad’s resolve.
“These experiences brought us even closer together.”
Unfortunately, the reality on the ground looks quite different, especially after the 64-year-old Saadane dropped captain Yazid Mansouri for the clash with Slovenia, saying he lacked form and replacing the Lorient player with Bochum’s Yahia.
With Mansouri subsequently threating to walk out, it remains to be seen whether Saadane’s young squad – 11 players of his 23-man squad are 25 years or younger – possess the spirit to overcome a Slovenia side that proved their World Cup credentials with a play-off victory over Russia.
Slovenia, making a second World Cup appearance after losing to Spain, Paraguay and South Africa in South Korea eight years ago, have also had a much more impressive and harmonious buildup than Algeria.
Matjaz Kek’s side followed up a 4-1 thumping of Qatar with a 3-1 victory over fellow World Cup finals participants New Zealand.
“As long as we play against Algeria like we did against Russia then I won’t have any worries,” said striker Milivoje Novakovic, who netted twice in the defeat of the All Whites.
“If we beat Algeria then we have a really good chance (of qualifying from the group).”