São Paulo – Last Thursday (26th), for the first time in history, Algeria earned a spot in the round of eight of the Fifa World Cup in Brazil. But this is not enough. The team’s striker who scored the goal against Russia and moved the Arab national team into the second round of the tournament, Islam Slimani, has told the website of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) that now he is dreaming of defeating his next rival: Germany, one of the favourites to take the trophy home.
“We came to Brazil with a goal of making it to the second round. Now that we did it, we can be proud, but we will not settle for this. We always want more, and we hope to be able to continue with our dream. I don’t want anyone to wake me up from it,” said Slimani.
This is Algeria’s fourth time in the World Cup. The country has played the editions of 1982, in Spain, 1986, in Mexico, and 2010, in South Africa. In the 1982 World Cup, Algeria beat West Germany 2 to 1. “We know what the victory against Germany in 1982 was like, with players such as Madjer, Assad and Belloumi. We want to follow on their footsteps, because if it has been achieved once, then why not dream about doing it again?,” the striker said.
Algeria qualified for the second round in the second half of the match against Russia, at Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Paraná. The Arab team had lost to Belgium 2 to 1 on their first game, then defeated South Korea 4 to 2, and could not afford to lose their last game of the first round to Russia. After the latter scored a goal early on in the game, coach Vahid Halilhodzic’s team tied after the Russian goalkeeper made a mistake, 14 minutes into the second half.
“We had support from everyone in the Arab countries, which was wonderful. People here in Brazil have also appreciated our sincerity and enthusiasm, and I take pride in this. But most of all I take pride in how the team has played. Now, everyone will be talking about 1982, when Algeria beat Germany, but 32 years ago is a long time,” Halilhodzic said at the end of the game, according to FIFA.
Germany, with whom Algeria will play for a spot in the round of eight next Monday (30th), in Porto Alegre, finished first in Group G, after defeating Portugal 4 to 0, tying 2 to 2 with Ghana and beating the United States 1 to 0.
Brilliant qualification
Algeria’s feat was even lauded by the Algerian president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika. According to news agency APS, he said the Arab team’s achievement has been a “brilliant qualification.”
According to a report released this Friday by the state-owned news agency, on Thursday (26th) Bouteflika sent a message congratulating the players and the management staff. “Your success is neither coincidence nor a gift. It is the result of your good performance, your perseverance and your adequate preparation,” the president said.
Bouteflika also noted that not only the Algerians, but also the fans of African and Muslim countries are supporting the North African team. “I want to express my sincere congratulations. May God almighty be with you so you may be successful in your next round,” he said. After the game ended, fans took to the streets in Algiers, the Algerian capital, and in French cities where Algerian immigrants live.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
Comments