Algeria v England Algeria forward Rafik Djebbour is ready to defeat England
Algeria forward Rafik Djebbour has promised England a severe World Cup examination when the two teams clash in Cape Town.
The AEK Athens striker has insisted that the Algerians will perform with fervour and courage, which can more than recompense for England's superiority in quality.
“If England think we are a modest team, we are happy," he said. They are the side everyone expects to win – maybe even them themselves – but there is a fierce passion and pride in our side. We are very proud people who will fight to serve our country. We are all aware of the great players England have, but we are more than ready. Make no mistake, we are here to qualify. If we didn’t think that, we wouldn’t bother to be here.
"People ask me if we are scared of England and their reputation and the answer is ‘no’. Why should we be frightened of them? We respect players like [Wayne] Rooney and [Steven] Gerrard, but we are not frightened of them. A positive result for us would not just be beating England, it would be to go on and win the World Cup. It will be amazing to play against such big names and we know it will be difficult, but you won’t see us running away."
Djebbour, who has formerly had trial periods at Celtic and Blackburn Rovers, was given the chop for the African Cup of Nations earlier this year.
Now he is back in the side, he is eager to demonstrate his ability.
"I am here to score goals – that is all I know. Some people have had it in for me," he added. There was a conspiracy against me. Who they were is a secret, but now I am preparing to play in the biggest tournament in the world against the biggest stars. The World Cup is maybe a chance for me to avenge some of the people who have hurt me."
Algeria manager Rabah Saadan is hopeful his team can copy the display of Switzerland when they play England.
Saadane will persuade his side to focus on their game plan but says the Algerians have received a bit of a boost to their morale after watching Ottmar Hitzfeld's team defeat Spain on Wednesday.
"I hope so," he said. "If it's possible I'd like that very much. Obviously this is something trainers watch very closely, so there is lots to be learned from each match. But everybody plays with their own means, each team is different. I think it will be an important match for both teams. I think we'll see a good match, it's the World Cup so undoubtedly it will be a fine spectacle and that's the interest of the tournament. I have a lot of respect for Mr Capello and the England team. We don't have any questions to ask and we're looking forward to the match. We've seen how they play, let me say again that we have no complexes [about being under-estimated], we will play as well as we can to produce a good performance and a good match."
Saadane also revealed that his team will not be set up to be ultra-defensive.
He said: "I don't think we'll play like North Korea against Brazil or Switzerland against Spain, we'll play differently because we have different human components and we play according to our possibilities."
With England expected to be victorious in the game, the Algeria manager hopes the pressures placed on the Three Lions can benefit his underdogs.
"England have their backs to the wall," he continued. "We have nothing to lose and everything to win."
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