Algeria Hopes for World Cup Progress

Algeria Hopes for World Cup Progress

📅11 May 2014, 09:55

Algeria has only qualified for three World Cups in the past. In the 2010 World Cup the team reached Round 1 but this was the first time it had competed in the tournament since 1986, having failed to qualify in the intervening years. The team has never progressed past the first round of the World Cup but has seen some success in the Africa Cup of Nations, which it won in 1990. Now the team will be hoping to produce some successful results on the international stage.

Style

Coach Vahid Halilhodzic tends to play the team in either 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation. The team has developed a quick playing style. It is normal to see just one or two touches on the ball from a player before it is passed forward.  Algeria is an attacking team and thanks to this are consistently good scorers.

Strengths

Early on in matches the team defended well and kept its opponents at distance. Furthermore, the team is good with long range deliveries and consistently scores this way. The team also attacks well down the wings and this meant that they were one of just seven teams to score in every qualifying match.

Weaknesses

The team suffers from some obvious weaknesses in defence. Corners seem to be a real problem and during qualifying only four sides conceded a higher proportion of goals from headers. Furthermore, the majority of the goals conceded came via the flanks and this is sure to be exploited in Brazil.

Additionally, the team is extremely inexperienced on the world stage and this could affect its performance under pressure.

World Cup Group Stage