Algeria injury woes worsen for Irish tie
The team’s playmaker Mourad Meghni has already been ruled out of the World Cup with a knee injury.
“If there is any risk of upsetting the injury, then I won’t play against Ireland which is a great shame,” said Borussia Moenchengladbach striker Matmour, who went on to warn Algeria’s World Cup opponents that the team perform best when they are written off.
“We hope we are seen as underdogs as that suits us best. We love causing surprises and we hope to make some more in the coming weeks,’’ he said.
The Ireland game is crucial to Algeria’s preparations for the tournament as the team views British opposition, against a team with an Italian coach, as the perfect warm-up for their second Group C match against England.
Yebda, who spent last season on loan at Portsmouth and helped them reach the FA Cup final, is likely to sit out the game with a back muscle strain.
“It prevented me from facing Chelsea and I would have loved to have played against them but I did not want to risk my place at the World Cup for it,’’ he said.
“That has been my priority this season and I will do nothing to jeopardise that. Now the decision over whether I play or not is down to the coach.”
Rabah Madjer, the hero of Algeria’s best ever team from the 1982 World Cup, is convinced that the Ireland game will show the world at what level his nation can compete in South Africa.
“The Ireland game will be a good indicator of just how good this team is,” he said.
“They have good potential and if things go our way, we are capable of good results.
When the Algerians decide to play a great match, they do it, and when the Algerians decide to be a great team they are.”
Algeria’s game against England will be at the forefront of their minds in the aftermath to tonight’s game. The British-based players may be used to their style of play, but the others are less so.
“I know how England and therefore how Ireland plays because I see them on TV all weekend,” said Matmour.
“A team like Slovenia, though, I have no idea how they play and that’s why we should be worried about them.”
Bougherra has also tried to pass on some tips to his team-mates ahead of tonight’s clash.
“I know the Ireland team well because some of them play in Scotland,” he said.
“They should be respected. They play very physical football with superb commitment, and we won’t be under-estimating them. It will be a good preparation for the game against England in South Africa and even the USA it will allow us a look at their style of play and give our coach the opportunity to learn some lessons.”
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