Fresh from a first FIFA World Cup win for 32 years,
victory over Russia on Thursday would see Algeria make their second-round
debut.
The African side took many by surprise with a
scintillating first-half display in Sunday's 4-2 victory over South Korea last
time out, placing them in second place in Group H with a two-point advantage
over both the Koreans and Russia.
Islam Slimani, Rafik Halliche and Abdelmoumene Djabou all
found the net in a breathtaking first 45 minutes as the Algerians picked apart
a hapless Korean defence, with Yacine Brahimi adding a fourth after the break,
sandwiched between two goals for the opposition.
The win - historic in its own right - put Algeria on the
verge of an even more memorable achievement, and even a draw in Curitiba would
be enough to seal progression, providing South Korea do not inflict a heavy
defeat on leaders Belgium.
Midfielder Nabil Bentaleb feels Algeria are beginning to
shake off the shackles of their defensive reputation, and hopes to deliver a
repeat performance against Fabio Capello's side.
"We want to play and that's what we'll do," he
said. "You must remove this defensive-team tag which stuck to the national
team at the last World Cup.
"We just show that we have a team that knows how to
tackle and how to score goals, and that is what we will do to deal with
Russia."
Russia's tournament has, so far, been a disappointing
one, and they find themselves relying on picking up a victory over Algeria to
have any chance of making the last 16 for the first time since the break up of
the Soviet Union.
However, a draw is not enough for Capello's men, whose
next World Cup fixture will be on home soil in four years if they are unable to
register the win.
Despite a 1-1 draw with South Korea and a 1-0 defeat to
Belgium, Capello remains confident that his side can progress.
"There is only one chance against Algeria - a draw
solves nothing," said Capello following his side's 1-0 defeat to Belgium
on Sunday. "I still believe. Absolutely I believe."
The winner of this group will set up a last-16 clash with
the runner-up of Group G, in which Germany - ahead on goal difference - and the
United States are currently tied on four points, while second place faces the
top side the same group.
Culled from Soccerway
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