Algeria and Valencia winger Sofiane Feghouli has said that his national side has no reason to be over-awed by a strong Belgium team.
Belgium and Algeria will face-off in a World Cup 2014 Group H match on Tuesday, June 17.
The Red Devils have been highly rated by various commentators and analyst this World Cup, as Belgium currently have a “golden generation” of players across all areas of the pitch. Indeed, the likes of Thibaut Courtois, Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany, and Romelu Lukaku are playing for top sides across Europe.
But Feghouli sees no reason to fear the Belgiums.
“We do not fear anyone or anything in particular among the Belgians,” said Feghouli.
“Many of us play in the top European leagues; we are accustomed to facing top players. It is true that we have collectively never faced such a strong team, but in a game, everything is possible.”
“And as Belgium is the favorite team in the group, it will have a lot of pressure, and we, the least experienced of the group, will try to create a surprise.”
Feghouli also said: “I think our strengths against Belgians will be solidarity and collectiveness. If each one thinks of himself only, we will perish against a great team like Belgium!”
“We need to show solidarity and give everything for each other, as we did in qualifiers in Africa.”
Here is an Associated Press article on Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic’s take on Belgium.
Algeria Coach: Belgium Defenders Not All Ferraris
BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (AP) — Turning down the hype on Belgium as the clear favorite in Group H, Algeria’s coach risked insulting his opponents Monday by saying they’re not all “Ferraris.”
Belgium captain and center back Vincent Kompany may have something to say about Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic’s assessment, made on the eve of Tuesday’s match at Mineriao Stadium in Belo Horizonte.
“With the Belgian defense, they are not all Ferraris either, you know,” Halilhodzic said, going on to refer to some of the players as being more like a cheaper, slower brand of car. “Belgium does have a certain weakness here.”
Before Halilhodzic’s comments, Kompany had some praise for Algeria.
“They have a good team,” he said. “They are dangerous offensively, that is true. But we have strong organization. It will be like a chess match.”
Algeria’s disciplinarian coach acknowledged that his players must suffer on the pitch if they have any chance of repeating the north African country’s famous 1982 upset of West Germany.
But Halilhodzic is letting his players relax in the final hours before the match.
“This is a very touchy phase in the preparation,” Halilhodzic said. “I think you have to be positive. In a certain phase, you must be tough and hard.
“If you want a positive reaction, you have to poke them a bit,” he added. “If you poke the Algerian players, they explode. They get positive energy.”
Algeria faces what some are calling Belgium’s best-ever team.
“If we succeed, it will be one of the greatest wins in Algerian history,” Halilhodzic said. “It could be compared to the match against Germany more than 30 years ago.”
Algeria famously beat West Germany in its first 1982 World Cup group match, but has never advanced past the group stage. Halilhodzic said Algeria has studied every aspect of Belgium’s team, analyzing video after video in recent days.
Halilhodzic said his players mustn’t let their guard down during the match or they will be punished.
“If we do not suffer, there’s no hope,” Halilhodzic said. “If some people just walk around the pitch without running, that’s a problem. If they don’t perform at a tournament like the World Cup, it’s the worst thing they can do for themselves.”
Halilhodzic has had a testy relationship with Algeria’s media of late, because they feel he has experimented too much with the squad and tested two sets of players.
“I think I am the most criticized person in all of Algeria, even after we qualified for this World Cup,” he said. “They have even insulted my family. This is not something I can tolerate.”
No one is sure what his starting lineup will be and he refused to budge at Monday’s news conference.
Algeria has a very young and inexperienced team. But fledgling stars in the making, including central midfielder Sofiane Feghouli, who has a sharp first touch and excellent passing skills, and striker Islam Slimani may just be able to produce an upset.
“We have 90 minutes on the pitch,” Halilhodzic said. “We'll see what happens then. Belgium is the favorite. But favorites don’t always win.”
