World Cup Qualifying Preview: Egypt - Algeria

Attack Is The Only Option For Egypt

When the groups for the CAF region’s World Cup qualifying were announced, virtually all analysts were unanimous in tipping Egypt the favourites to pick up their ticket to South Africa and perhaps even do so in style.

Who could blame them considering that this is the same side that have dominated the continent for four years running, picking up two consecutive African Cup of Nations trophies, the latter of which was even more impressive as it came in West Africa and featured convincing wins over Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroon amongst others.

Unfortunately for the Pharaohs. they failed to live up to these lofty expectations in their home World Cup qualifying opener against Zambia which ended 1-1. At that point they were still level on points with Algeria who had also been unable to notch a win in their first game away to Rwanda.

However, all previous considerations were thrown out the window as the Fennecs defeated Egypt 3-1 in Blida and the Pharaohs have been busy playing catch up ever since.

Now, after two narrow road wins over the Amavubi and Chipolopolo, Egypt have no choice but to throw everything they have at Algeria to, at the very minimum, win by two goals to force a playoff which will be played in Sudan on November 18th.

While their latest 5-1 win over Tanzania might be a good sign for them, the match in Cairo on Saturday will be a totally different affair since national team coach Hassen Shehata will likely be putting forth a much different lineup against a much more powerful and determined opponent.

Nevertheless, a two or even three goal win is not beyond this squad which is packed full of players who are fighting for their last chance to qualify for a World Cup considering that by the time the next edition rolls around many of them will have already passed on the torch to a new generation of footballers who will seek to equal their accomplishments and surpass them.

Algeria On The Verge Of History

After more than two decades of failed World Cup qualifying campaigns, Algeria, a veritable African footballing powerhouse during the 80’s, have finally rediscovered their lost form on the back of a squad featuring a mixture of European and domestic based players who have come a long ways in tactical awareness and cohesiveness.

Their resounding 3-1 victory over their bitter group rivals was not only important in that it put them at the top of the standings but was also a big psychological boost that has had a positive effect on the rest of their qualifying campaign where they have impressed onlookers with their defensive solidity and technical play.

Standing in their way is a familiar foe who they know all too well but instead of worrying about Egypt’s plans, the word out of the Algeria camp is that they will not sit back and defend constantly and hope for a result that qualifies them.

While it is certainly true that they will have to weather the storm of attacks that they will face, Algeria also possess weapons up front that they know they must utilise in order to make the game a well-balanced affair.

What remains uncertain is how Saadane’s men will react to the hostile environment in Cairo and in the stadium and whether it will affect them negatively. In recent years one of Algeria’s main weaknesses has been their failure to get good results far away from home.

Judging by their 2-0 win over Zambia in Chililabombwe in June, this group appears to be different in that regard but true confirmation that times have changed will only come if they produce a good display in Egypt and emerge with a positive outcome in hand.

FORM GUIDE

Egypt

November 5: Egypt 5-1 Tanzania

October 10: Zambia 0-1 Egypt

September 5: Rwanda 0-1 Egypt

August 12: Egypt 3-3 Guinea

July 5: Egypt 3-0 Rwanda

Algeria

October 11: Algeria 3-1 Rwanda

September 6: Algeria 1-0 Zambia

August 12: Algeria 1-0 Uruguay

June 20: Zambia 0-2 Algeria

June 7: Algeria 3-1 Egypt

TEAM NEWS

Egypt

An injury concern for Egypt is a knock sustained by Hosny Abd Rabo. The latest reports indicate that he is losing his race against time to pass fit prior to the big game on Saturday. What is certain is that Shehata will not gamble with the player’s health or with his team’s chances by fielding an unfit player.

This is a blow considering the Pharaohs needed a moment of brilliance from the Ahly Dubai player in Zambia to win. Defender Wael Gomaa is also sidelined.

Meanwhile, Emad Metab, Mohamed Zidan, and Ahmed Raouf are back in the squad after a period of absence for each to provide support to Amr Zaki and perhaps the goals Egypt will need if they are to force a playoff or qualify directly.

Probable Starting XI: Essam Al Hadhari – Hani Saied, Sherif Abdulfadil, Ahmed Saeid – Ahmed Fathi, Sayed Moawad, Ahmed Hassan, Mohamed Aboutrika, Mohamed Barakat – Amr Zaki, Mohamed Zidan

Algeria

The injury situation in the Fennecs camp is not ideal but has improved from what it was a week ago when it looked like instrumental players such as Madjid Bougherra, Karim Ziani, and Anthar Yahia would all miss the decisive match.

However, things have since improved for Ziani who rejoined full training while Bougherra and Yahia are running once more. It is still not absolutely clear whether the latter two will feature but the Rangers defender looks likelier than his Bundesliga based counterpart.

Probable Starting XI: Gaouaoui – Bougherra, Yahia, Halliche, Belhadj – Mansouri, Lemmouchia, Meghni, Ziani – Saifi, Ghezzal.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Egypt

Mohamed Aboutrika remains the danger man for this Egyptian team as he will be pulling the strings in midfield and most attacks will likely be funneled through him. The smiling assassin has the experience, vision, and skill to rival any offensive midfielder on the planet.

Algeria

Karim Ziani is the most high profile player in the team and one who is known for his fighting spirit. As soon as he got injured he went on record saying that he’d play in this match even if he had to so with one leg, such is his dedication to the Fennecs cause. The former Marseille playmaker is quick on the ball and tough to take off it, not to mention that he has an accurate strike that has vanquished many an Algerian opponent.

PREDICTION

Probably one of the most difficult matches to predict given the nature of the rivalry and the surprises that the match is going to have in store. But it is hard to imagine that an Algerian side who have conceded only two goals in qualifying thus far will allow Egypt to run riot with them having a favourable goal differential and the added motivation of being so incredibly close to South Africa 2010.

Furthermore, with Egypt so concerned with scoring as much as they can, it’s quite likely that Algeria will catch them on the counter and they have the players who can make them pay for being too eager to get forward.

Egypt 2-1 Algeria

Rami Ayari, Goal.com