It's easy to second-guess Algeria now that we know how it all shook out but they have nobody but themselves to blame for the last result: a shocking 1-0 loss to the U.S. in stoppage time.
They seemed content to just play for a tie and ruin the U.S.' chances to advancing rather than go for a goal and get themselves to the second round. As it turned out, England won so it didn't really matter but how could the Desert Foxes not send everyone forward as they went for a late goal? Strange.
Algeria
Best moment: 0-0 tie against England. I listened to the whole game on XM radio so I can't give you too many details but that's a great result for Algeria.
Worst moment: Giving up Landon Donovan's goal in the 91st minute, a strike that will live on forever in U.S. soccer history.
Best result: The tie with England, that turned out to be their only point. They were in the game with Slovenia and hung with the U.S. for 90+ minutes.
Worst result: Realistically, the Slovenia game was the one they had to have. Sure, the U.S. game is much more memorable but the Americans dominated them and the Desert Foxes deserved the heart-breaking loss they were dealt.
Final tally: 1 tie, 2 losses. 0 goals scored, 2 goals against.
Best player: Goalkeeper Rais M'Bolhi, who was a brick wall (with help from his posts and the refs) for 90 minutes against the U.S.
Worst player: The goalkeeper that started the first match, Faouzi Chaouchi who gave up the embarrassingly easy goal to Slovenia.
No comments:
Post a Comment