Algeria 2-0 RCA: The reformation gains steam

October 10th, 2011 | by: Kazi | Comments Off

Well, the era of Halilhodzic is fully underway. A spirited Algeria end their 2012 African Cup of Nations, having failed to qualify, but with heads raised high, because for the first time in a long time, they put a proper smile on the faces of their fans. Whilst it wasn’t the performance of the century by any means, there was far more potency there.

First thing’s first, the player ratings:
• M’Bolhi : 6.5/10 – Not much to do really to give him any higher. Was tested on occasion but mostly had a quiet night. Dealt with whatever was sent his way well and effectively without fuss. Just as we’ve come to know him.
• Mostefa: 6/10 – Not as obvious as he usually is. But he did make some very good tackles and was solid at the back, also contributing well to the attack, providing Yebda and Matmour with many a good ball.
• Bouzid: 6/10 – Was a more than sufficient replacement for Yahia. Made some good interventions, particularly using his height to good effect. He looked composed on the ball too. But he seemed a little limited in what he had to offer to the team.
• Bougherra: 6/10 – Better than recent outings, but still nowhere near the form that earned him the nickname of “Magic”. Having said that, anything is better than what he’s recently been putting in. It may just save him from the chop off the roster…
• Mesbah: 7/10 – Another good game for Mesbah. This time his attacking abilities were far more evident, as he came forward more often then he usually does, yet he didn’t make himself a liability for the defense. Linked up well with Kadir and Metref on numerous occasions.
• Guedioura: 6/10 – A welcome return for someone who is set to become a member of the reformed NT. Whilst it was evident he wasn’t at his best, defensively he was very sound and it was reassuring to see.
• Metref: 6.5/10 – A job well done for Metref who can count himself proud of his showing. He sprayed the ball very well and showed good composure when on the ball. He was active in both the defending and attacking aspects of the team and was a part of a lot of the good plays throughout the match.
• Yebda: 7/10 – Scored a thumping header that rocketed into the net within the first 2 minutes of the match. Quietened down a bit since then but was very visible at both ends. Contributed well to the defending down the right but was more obvious offensively, providing many a cutting pass to Matmour and Ghezzal. He’s starting to become one of the more important members of the squad now.
• Kadir: 8/10 – L’homme du match. Kadir gave his best performance in an Algeria game yet. I remember back in 2009 when I first heard his name during qualifiers, thinking if he was good enough to get into the squad. Last night, he proved he was, scoring a goal, getting an assist and providing chance after chance. Had he put away his other chances he’d have easily got a 9 but such is life.
• Matmour: 5.5/10 – His effort can in no way be faulted, but such was the level of his wastefulness in front of goal that he just misses the 6. You miss as many chances as he did and you’re bound to go down. But credit for the effort he put in. I personally felt that Djabou for him would have been a great substitution.
• Ghezzal: 5.5/10 – Like Matmour, a great deal of effort but with no end result. And this time, it was different, because you could see how desperate he was to score. But unfortunately it will do little to change the minds of many fans, myself included, who believe that in order for the team to progress, he needs to leave, as with Matmour.

Substitutions:
• Djebbour: 5.5/10 – Came on at a time when the team had evidently tired out and the game was losing it’s intensity. But still managed to get in a few good touches, along with a placed shot that the keeper did well to scramble away.
• Lemmouchia: N/A – Not enough time to make a real assessment.
• Ghilas: N/A – Not the substitute I would have picked but the game was practically over anyway.

Well, what can we take from the game?

We finally scored 2 goals from open play, a feat we haven’t achieved since the fabled Ivory Coast game, and we didn’t concede any goals, a feat we haven’t achieved since the Morocco game in Annaba. Both indicate an increase in offensive potency and defensive rigidity. And it’s true. Halilhodzic’s philosophy of “Barca-like” football, of defending and attacking as one began to come together.

However, I wasn’t happy with how scruffy the play was at times, an indication being the amount of times players needed to slide in order to reach the ball. A lot more effort needs to be put into calmly passing the ball between the players. Too many times the ball was being launched in the air needlessly and the ball being blasted at teammates who couldn’t control such a powerful “pass”. Granted, the pitch was by no means great, but the players must be more careful when passing. At times however there was some good bouts of passing between the team, gradually creating space and getting further forward.

Also, the tackling needs to be toned down, ( A point to be raised from previous games as well but there were more pressing matters then.) some of it seemed amateurish in the rounding on players and flying in. It may be acceptable in Africa but on the world stage you’ll concede unnecessary cards.

But overall I was delighted with the amount of opportunities the team managed to create, and how much more formidable we looked in that final third. Kadir as a playmaker seems to have worked in providing that final ball to the forwards. Matmour and Ghezzal were far too wasteful though, and in all honesty, regardless of the Morocco score, the score could very well have been 6 or 7.

But no need for nitpicking.

Halilhodzic has proved a winning ticket now, making the right tactical choices in order to get the best out of the players on the field. Sure his selection policy may seem a bit odd but it seems for the time being, the FAF has definitely picked the right man for the job of reconstructing the team in order to qualify for the 2014 World Cup insha Allah.

But now this brings up a new issue. After doing so well, it makes it all the more harder to select the players to make up the squad. With the influx of Franco-Algerians set to take place in November as well as the predicted return of Boudebouz and Abdoun, who now has to lose their spot in order to make way.

Just to let you know, so far the list of Franco-Algerians according to various and repeated news reports set to join are as follows:
• Ishak Belfodil
• Idriss Saadi
• Liassine Bentaiba (100% Confirmed for availability)
• Sofiane Feghouli (100% Confirmed for availability)

Then you have Boudebouz and Abdoun coming back, along with the suggested inclusion of members of the U23 side. Add that to the possible returns of Ziani and Meghni, then you have a right conundrum.

But that’s for November, where insha Allah the Reformed NT will start in earnest with good performances against Cameroon and Tunisia. And whilst we didn’t make it to the 2012 tournament, the lads did well enough to go out with dignity restored after imposing themselves the way they did against their opponents. Hopefully the time will be well spent in rebuilding the squad furthermore.