'We'll pose problems'
Thursday, 17 June, 2010
Algeria captain confident of causing England problems in Cape Town.
Algerian captain Antar Yahia believes his side can cause England problems when the two sides meet in Cape Town's Green Point Stadium on Friday.
Despite defeat in their opening Group C encounter with Slovenia, the Algerian defender is confident they can upset their more illustrious rivals and keep their qualification hopes alive going into their final group game.
Yahia said: "We have qualities which should shine through. We are going to pose problems for the English. We will be more ambitious [than against Slovenia] and it is a role that suits us better.
"We have a lot of good players in the Algeria team and in the World Cup you have a big, big motivation. It's a special occasion. We all know this is a crucial match for us and also for England but we will not be making it easy for them," he added.
Yahia's fellow defender Madjid Bougherra, formerly of Charlton Athletic and now of Glasgow Rangers, believes Group C is still finely balanced and any of the four sides could realistically advance to the knock-out stages.
He said: "USA and England drawing was a good result for us. It has given us a fighting chance to stay alive because USA and England are only a point ahead.
"Slovenia have got the joker. They have got the win so they are clear favourites. They are strongest to progress. They might only need a draw to get through. The chances of England, USA and Algeria are all the same. Equal."
A second defeat for Algeria would eliminate them from the tournament before they step onto the pitch for their final game, but Bougherra shares his captain's optimism ahead of the England clash.
He said: "I know a number of the players from my time in English football and they are all very good. Rooney and Gerrard will be difficult to contain but we have to be confident. This is the World Cup and anything can happen."