Algerian players in action during a training session in Doha, yesterday. Pic: Twitter / @lesverts
Doha: The tournament becomes more difficult from this point, Algeria coach Madjid Bougherra said as the Desert Foxes prepare for a strong challenge from Lebanon today at the Al Janoub Stadium.
The North Africans, one of the favourites to win the FIFA Arab Cup, dominated Sudan 4-0 in their Group D opener and would be looking to book a quarter-final spot.
Bougherra said the reigning African champions would face a difficult challenge against a Lebanese team eager to get maximum points after losing by a lone goal to Egypt on Wednesday.
“The task becomes more difficult as we progress in the championship matches, and the Lebanese team will not be an easy catch. For Lebanon, this is the last chance to qualify for the second round. We saw how they played against Egypt, so it will not be an easy match,” Bougherra told the media yesterday.
The former Rangers defender said the Foxes made a great start against Sudan and will look to continue on that run today.
“We do not have much time to rest and catch our breath. In the last match, we made the task easier for ourselves, and we succeeded early in the first half in deciding the result. However, Lebanon will be different,” he added.
Qatar Stars League side Al Sadd striker Baghdad Bounedjah continued his rich goalscoring run with a brace. On the other hand, midfielder Yacine Brahimi, who plays for QSL heavyweights Al Rayyan will be hoping to earn a call up to Djamel Belmadi’s African Cup of Nations team.
Brahimi last played for the Foxes in 2020 but stressed he is always available to represent his country.
“I am at the disposal of the technical staff. After returning, my focus is on the group because our goal is to go as far as possible in the tournament. First, we seek to qualify from our group, and then we can think about the next thing,” the former Porto man said.
On the Lebanon match, he noted, “We have a second important match in which we look forward to achieving victory and qualifying for the quarter-finals of the tournament. Facing Lebanon will not be easy, and we know that they are a stubborn team that played well in the first round against Egypt.”
Lebanon coach Ivan Hasek believes The Cedars will display a renewed focus after falling to Egypt in the later stages of their opener.
“We realise the importance of the challenge that awaits us against the Algerian team, especially after their win over the Sudanese team.
“We have been working to correct the errors we made against Egypt. I think that our performance improved in the second half, and we seek to play better and differently against Algeria. We must work to correct the offensive aspects. I am confident in the players’ ability to give their best,” the Czech coach, who was given the Lebanese national team top job in July, said.
Before the FIFA Arab Cup, Lebanon were on a run of one win from six matches. Nevertheless, they have been compact defensively, which midfielder Nader Matar said would play a massive role in surviving Algeria.
“When you play against teams the size of Algeria or Egypt, you must focus on the defensive aspects and work closely. However, we must also play a high concentration in our next match," Matar said.
