Algeria win over United Arab Emirates a morale boster : Algeria Players ratings
Algeria, ''Les Fennecs'', beat the United Arab Emirates 1-0 for their last friendly game at Nuremberg in Germany. The Algerians have found victory again after 2 losses in their last 2 friendly games, a moral booster with a week left before the start of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
If we count the 2010 ACN and the game against Serbia, Algeria was actually on a 4 game losing streak, a streak in which Algeria conceded 11 goals without scoring once. Against the United Arab Emirates, the Fennecs had a very shy start that saw the UAE dominate the first 10 minutes. Afterwards, Algeria took control of the midfield and had a few chances to score but were inefficient to seal the deal. After half time, Algeria maintained their dominance against an Emirati team that was entrenched in its own half, playing the counter attacking game.
The Algerian siege did its job as the Fennecs were awarded a penalty kick after an UAE defender handled the ball. Karim Ziani scored with a hard shot down the middle that the UAE goalkeeper could not stop. The attacking duo Djebbour-Ghezzal was better than in the Ireland game but still inefficient. At the 69th minute, Ryad Boudebouz replaced Rafik Djebbour and gave an excellent option on the right wing and made the UAE left back suffer. The regular starters in defense were reunited and the Halliche-Yahia-Bougherra trio stabilized their defensive sector but it still needed some tweaking. The UAE had a great chance to score the equalizer but found Fawzi Chaouchi who did a great stop in a powerful shot from Sayid El-Khalil at the 76th minute.
Rabah Saadane (Algeria's Manager): "Beyond the result, there was a good response from the players. This game finalizes our very complete preparations, during which we worked a lot on the physical and technical level. Most importantly, we played with an almost full squad. The UAE team gave a very good resistance and we were very tired at the end of the first half with many badly executed passes. But in the second half, we had a few good opportunities, that did not give goals. The preparation was very beneficial.''
In South Africa, the Algerians will play their first game against Slovenia on June 13th at Polokwane. They will then face England in their second game and USA in their last and third group game.
Players' ratings
Faouzi Chaouchi (6/10) : was not very busy during the game but made a great save at the 76th minute
Madjid Bougherra (5/10) : solid but a bit rusty. He was coming back from injury and lacked game fitness.
Rafik Halliche (6/10) : solid and physical, maybe too physical.
Anthar Yahia (5/10) : solid in his zone but average in his passes.
Nadir Belhadj (6/10): much better than against Ireland. Made good runs on the left side and needs to be more precise in his passing.
Yazid Mansouri (4/10): inefficient in the midfield, had difficulties to get the ball out with the UAE pressuring on hime
Mehdi Lacen (5/10) : same story than Mansouri but his passing was more efficient.
Karim Ziani (7/10): the star of the game, he was very active, especially on the left side.
Karim Matmour (6/10): coming back from injury, Matmour was rusty but showed signs of a good come back.
Rafik Djebbour (4/10): inefficient and no scoring chances
Abdelkader Ghezzal (5/10): inefficient, with some scoring chances but nothing to be excited about.
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