Profiles of the Algeria players who could line up against England 1 Lounes Gaouaoui, Goalkeeper ASO Chlef. Age 32, Caps 48 First-choice custodian until suspension forced him out of the play-off win against Egypt and appendicitis ruled him out of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. Only man at the World Cup whose surname contains seven vowels in a row. 2 Madjid Bougherra, Defender Rangers. Age 27, Caps 42 Rolls-Royce defensive linchpin, whose silky purring for the Scottish champions has over the last season attracted the attention of Barcelona, Galatasaray and Liverpool. Is “proud” of having kept Wayne Rooney “off the scoresheet” during his time at Charlton. 3 Nadir Belhadj Defender Portsmouth. Age 28, Caps 46 Tricky left-sided maverick operating either at wing-back or upfield as a winger. Earned rave notices playing for Portsmouth this season, scoring three goals and featuring in the FA Cup final defeat by Chelsea. Says he turned down a move from Barcelona to stay at Portsmouth last year. 4 Antar Yahia Defender Bochum. Age 28, Caps 45 France-born defensive totem. And became captain on Sunday. First player to change nationality under Fifa’s eligibility rules back in 2004, the former France Under-18 central defender committed to Algeria and has been a fixture ever since. Scored the goal that sent Algeria to the finals against Egypt. His father was a welder. 5 Rafik Halliche, Defender Nacional Madeira. Age 23, Caps 18 Lanky goal-miser who has been busy establishing himself in the centre of the parsimonious Algerian back line. On Benfica’s books but loaned out to Portuguese top-flight side Nacional, he is Monsieur Consistency. 6 Yazid Mansouri, Midfielder Lorient, France. Age 32, Caps 67 Crunching midfield enforcer who turned out for Coventry City in 2003-04. Technically the captain but was ditched by Rabah Saâdane for the Slovenia game on Sunday and a spat ensued. 7 Ryad Boudebouz, Midfielder Sochaux, France. Age 20, Caps 2 Youthful pocket dynamo, the 20-year-old has enjoyed two seasons in the Sochaux midfield. Turned down a chance to continue playing for the French Under-19 side in order to throw in his lot with Algeria. 8 Medhi Lacen, Midfielder Racing Santander, Spain. Age 27, Caps 4 Pocket battleship holding midfielder who only made his Algeria debut this year despite a call-up in 2006. Missed the Africa Cup of Nations this year because he was about to become a father. Likes to do his talking on the pitch. 9 Abdelkader Ghezzal, Forward Siena, Italy. Age 27, Caps 4 Powerful, bustling marksman red-carded against Slovenia and so is suspended. Doesn’t know the meaning of danger; style built on graft rather than guile. 10 Rafik Saïfi, Forward Istres, France. Age 35, Caps 61 Wily striker and some say the father figure of the squad. Scored for fun in the Algerian league, but has fallen slightly from grace since the days when he was the first name on the teamsheet. 11 Rafik Djebbour, Forward AEK Athens, Greece. Age 26, Caps 17 Pacy hitman who has spent five fruitful seasons in Greece, where he currently plies. He boasts a decent one-in-two hit rate for AEK despite often being stationed out on the wings. 12 Habib Bellaïd, Defender Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. Age 24, Caps 1 Doughty left-back. Tunisia were interested in this French youth international, currently playing in France on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt. 13 Karim Matmour, Midfielder B Mönchengladbach. Age 24, Caps 21 Strasbourg-born workhorse striker-cum-attacking midfield whippet. Made his name in Germany, first for Freiburg and then for the Foals. His goalscoring record is poor but his industry is excellent and his pace offers options on the counter. 14 Abdelkader Laïfaoui, Defender Entente Setif. Age 28, Caps 7 A manager’s dream, this dependable right-back is the Algerian league’s sole outfield representative. Cucumber-cool when under pressure. 15 Karim Ziani, Midfielder Wolfsburg, Germany. Age 27 Caps 55 French-born who plays for Wolsfburg in the Bundesliga. Can play in many positions for club and country but prefers midfield. 16 Faouzi Chaouchi, Goalkeeper Entente Setif. Age 25, Caps 10 Hot-blooded Chaouchi gently headbutted the referee during a tumultuous 4–0 defeat by Egypt, but escaped with a light ban by the CAF. An appeal followed. Talented but tempestuous and prone to bad days at the office. 17 Adlène Guedioura, Midfielder Wolverhampton Wanderers. Age 24, Caps 3 “Lefty” Guedioura can play at left-back or on the left wing, where he excelled for Wolves last term. Works his socks off. 18 Carl Medjani, Defender Ajaccio, France. Age 25, Caps 0 Former France Under-21 skipper who transferred his allegiance to the nation of his father’s birth. “When my dad heard the news, he cried,” says the ball-playing Ajaccio centre-back, formerly of Liverpool reserves. 19 Hassan Yebda, Midfielder Portsmouth. Age 26, Caps 10 Versatile midfielder who can play in left and central berths, Yebda won the U-17 world championship with France, before opting to play for the land of his fathers. He is the model pro, but may be tempted by the lure of the lira this summer. 20 Djamel Mesbah, Midfielder Lecce, Italy. Age 25, Caps 1 Utility man who has broken into the squad as he gives Saâdane so many options: though his default position is left-back, he can also operate in midfield and up front. 21 Foued Kadir, Midfielder Valenciennes, France. Age 26, Caps 3 Attacking midfielder who is as brave as a lion. He has failed to win a regular berth at the northern French club, but has nevertheless impressed when selected. 22 Djamel Abdoun, Midfielder Nantes, France. Age 29, Caps 7 North Africa’s David Fairclough, this clever creative midfielder has silky skills and is used as an impact substitute. 23 Raïs M’Bohli, Goalkeeper Slavia Sofia. Age 24, Caps 1 Have gloves, will travel, this 24-year-old flirted with the big time – a brief fling at Hearts, and a trial for Manchester United – but looks to have timed his run to the big stage perfectly. Algeria World Cup 2010 Group C World Cup 2010 guardian.co.uk
See the rest here:
World Cup 2010: Algeria pen pics
