With their minds firmly set on kicking off their World Cup campaign in style through a great start against Slovenia on June 13, the Algerians may not be at full strength on Friday evening. Their intentions, like any other World Cup participant at the moment, is to warm-up and test their strengths and weaknesses as the team’s coaching staff are yet to make any final decision concerning tactics, and squad choices.
Playing against the Republic of Ireland should benefit the Desert Foxes, then. Giovanni Trapattoni’s men are seriously looking to overcome the huge disappointment they suffered late last year when France controversially disqualified them from the finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The Irish will have to battle it out against top emerging sides Russia and Slovakia during the 2012 European Championship qualification campaign which will commence later this summer.
Therefore, they are willing to take full advantage of each and every friendly encounter in which they feature. Ironically, this match against Algeria is the Republic of Ireland’s last opportunity to ready ahead their first European Championship qualifier which will be against Andorra in September. Algeria will resume preparations against the UAE next week.