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Algeria have never made it past the group stage in their two previous World Cup appearances in 1982 and 1986, although they did cause quite a stir when they upset the West Germans in 1982.

That particular result led to controversy as the West Germans and Austrians later contrived a 1-0 West German victory that served to pass both of those European countries through to the knockout phase at the expense of the Algerians.

But that’s their history and this is 2010.

Algeria lost 1-0 to Slovenia in their first match in this World Cup and sit last in Group C. Now they need a win over England to guarantee a chance of survival.

After seeing how the Three Lions squad failed to dispatch the USA, Algerian defender Nadir Belhadj for one thinks his team can do it.

Algerians see problems in England’s defense

"We have seen some gaps, especially in their defense,” said Belhadj, “and, if we can take advantage of those gaps…maybe it could make the difference and we could create history by qualifying from the group stages.”

The English are not immune to being upset by a lesser football power. Their 1-0 loss to USA in Brazil in the 1950 World Cup is the most commonly cited example. Last weekend’s 1-1 draw with the USA only serves to show that the modern England squad is vulnerable too.

Robert Green’s unfortunate blunder gifted the USA a goal and a share of the points, but despite largely dominating play against the Americans the English seldom looked truly dominant.

With the loss of Rio Ferdinand and with Ledley King doubtful, Belhadj’s observation isn’t far off the mark. The English do indeed seem vulnerable at the back.

Ferdinand’s knee injury, suffered in a training ground encounter, ruled him out of the tournament before it started, and motivated England boss Fabio Capello to call up Michael Dawson of Tottenham to replace the Manchester United man.

Talented but fragile defender Ledley King suffered a groin strain in the match against the USA and is said to be doubtful for the Algeria match. If King is unable to start Capello will have to make a decision on whom to play at the back. Dawson joins two other players in the frame for central defense: Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher and West Ham’s Matthew Upson.

The English at least can be comforted knowing that Gareth Barry is once again fit and is set to start against Algeria, having recovered from an ankle injury suffered while playing for his club, Manchester City, last month.

But the starting goalkeeper is another area of decision for Capello. Will he go with Green again, despite his calamitous error against the USA?  

Is the Jabulani a factor?

For his part, Green admitted the mistake was all his and nothing to do with the apparently unpredictable qualities of the much maligned Jabulani ball.

"You prepare mentally for making those mistakes - that's what you do the preparation for before a game. You don't let it affect you. I'm not blaming the ball, I should have stopped it and there's no two ways about it” said the West Ham ‘keeper.

Capello put things in perspective. “He made one mistake, a big mistake, but in the second half he also made one great save,” the manager said. “He saved that really, really well.” We’ll probably not know until Friday whether Green will get another chance.

Yet the Algerians come into the match with England having suffered a similar fate. The goal that gave their Slovenian opponents the vital three points last weekend also came as a result of a goalkeeping error.

Algerian keeper Chaouchi should have dealt with Koran’s shot easily. Instead he allowed the shot to bounce off his arm and into the goal. The Jabulani factor?

Both teams need a win

A loss to England means an early trip home for the Algerians. A win, albeit unlikely, is probably the only chance they have of survival, and Belhadj and company will undoubtedly approach the match with the attitude that nothing is impossible.

England’s defensive worries are certainly troublesome, but they’d be offset some if striker Wayne Rooney were to get himself on the score sheet. Rooney hasn’t scored for his country in six matches, and although others among the English are capable of bulging the onion bag, the sight of Rooney doing for England what he did so well for Manchester United this season would undoubtedly warm the cockles of English hearts as they prepare to face the big boys in the knockout stages. But first they have to avoid being upset by Algeria.
 

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