Algerians deny extra-time defeat was due to Ramazan
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PORTO ALEGRE: Algeria goalkeeper Rais M'Bolhi insists his side's 2-1 extra-time defeat to Germany was not down to his team-mates' observance of Ramazan as the Desert Foxes bowed out of the World Cup.
M'Bolhi's man-of-the-match display between the sticks repeatedly thwarted the Germans in normal time before Andre Schuerrle and Mesut Ozil scored extra-time goals to decide the last 16 clash.
Algeria grabbed a deserved consolation in Porto Alegre right before the final whistle to offer brief hope through replacement Abdelmoumene Djabou.
Having counter-attacked the Germans with fierce determination during the goalless 90 minutes, Algeria tired in extra-time, but M'Bolhi says Ramazan was not to blame.
Most of the team are reported to be observing the Muslim month of fasting, which started on Saturday, and would have only been able to drink water late in the first-half.
“No, I don't think (it was a factor), we were ready to play for as long as we need to, nobody believed we were able to put in a performance like that,“ insisted M'Bolhi.
“It didn't come down to physicality, everyone was fit and ready to play, we just conceded two late goals.
“This is a personal question, it's between us and God, I don't think I have to answer you, Ramazan is a personal thing.“
Much of the pre-match talk had been of Algerian revenge more than three decades after the 'Shame of Gijon' when Germany's mutually beneficial 1-0 win over Austria sent Algeria home from the 1982 World Cup.
But Germany progress to the last eight to face France at the expense of the north Africans, who had reached the last 16 of a World Cup for the first time.
“We're very disappointed, because we felt there was something to have been had from this match,” said M'Bolhi.
“We're part of Algerian football history, no other team went so far before and we showed we can play on an equal footing at the highest level.
“We really want to build on this and push on.“
Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic failed to attend the post-match press conference amidst rumours he will step down after the World Cup.
“There are rumours going around, but we need to thank him for all he has done,” said veteran defender Madjid Bouguerra.
“He took on the team when they were very low and has given us confidence, we all kissed him at the end and if he does leave, he needs to be rewarded.
“Yes, we're disappointed, but we're proud of what we achieved at this World Cup.“
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Comments (48) Closed
Jul 01, 2014 09:59am
Proud of Algeria. You guys played excellent football. Inshallah, next time, you will make it to the finals. Don't be disheartened. You guys did exceptionally well this year.
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Jul 01, 2014 10:01am
Wow: I am so happy they lost
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Jul 01, 2014 10:38am
the best showing of a third world country ever! you are the pride of all under-developed nations.
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Jul 01, 2014 11:10am
Admit it, fasting was a factor.
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Jul 01, 2014 11:11am
@FARQ Me too.
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Jul 01, 2014 11:13am
@random_user It is enough they made to the round of 16. Do you mean Algeria qualify (finals also means teams that qualify to go to Russia in 2018) or earn one of top two positions in 2018? But they played with lot of determination. This is more than enough.
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Jul 01, 2014 12:43pm
I was sure that Germany will due to there much experienced players and being a strong side, but I was never expecting how hard it will be for Germans to grab victory against Brave Algeria. Very Well Played Algeria. Respect (Y)
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Jul 01, 2014 02:25pm
Brazil , Argentina , Germany .......... should be in Top 4 , if they were not clashes before
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Jul 01, 2014 03:47pm
@Faiza G. R. Bhatt
Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, Cameroon, Ecuador, Honduras, Iran, Ghana....
They are also third-world countries.
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Jul 01, 2014 04:16pm
after this match , I believe that producing 11 players for football..has nothing to do with....progress of country..its a lame....
Perfecto Match... Candy for Eyes......every bit of it...thrilling 2 hours... best match so far
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Jul 01, 2014 05:10pm
@Faiza G. R. Bhatt : Faiza, they are good because they practice in countries like France, Belgium, Germany. They are funded by European clubs . They will only get better if they stick to European policies. Pakistan Cricket is a great example of downfall. Players like Imran Khan, Asif Iqbal, Zaheer Abbas were all playing in English counties so they were good.
I don't have to mention Pak's plight in today's form.
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Jul 01, 2014 06:29pm
Its the same old story: The World Cup has been bouncing between Europe and South America for the last almost 100 years. Getting pretty tired of this!
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Jul 01, 2014 06:58pm
Proud of you Team Algeria. You have chosen the the right path. Allah Bless You all
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Jul 01, 2014 07:02pm
Most of the Algerians were drinking water during breaks. In addition, Germans like Ozil, Sami Kadeera also drank.
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Jul 01, 2014 07:05pm
I think all the weak teams have performed well and given tough competition to the strong teams. The underdogs had the will to beat their oppositions but they did not have the confidence that they could do it. Sub conciously they knew that the likes Germany, France or Netherlands would score any moment. I think they need to have the believe that they belong to the big arena and that would help them score the first goal which is very crucial in pressure games. Well played Algeria!!
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Jul 01, 2014 07:36pm
@event horizon So what? Carrying out an obligation from Allah is more important than playing any sport. Allah will reward them for their hard work in some shape or form even if they lost on the field.
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Jul 01, 2014 08:34pm
Regardless we are proud of the Algerians - they certainly played well!
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Jul 01, 2014 08:50pm
What difference is it to people if someone is fasting or not at their work place. Let someone do their job without you judging their belief system. I saw 101% effort by the Algerians in that game. Kudos to both teams.
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Jul 01, 2014 10:19pm
@Faiza G. R. Bhatt that is an absolutely disgusting comment! If you're still stuck in your first world vs. third world, what do you think Brazil is? What does development have to do with football at all? Some of the best players in the game have come from sheer obscurity! Might as well be a bit respectful and modify your comment! Geez!
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Jul 02, 2014 12:40am
@Ali: I agree with what you said. Except that Iran is not a "third world" country. Just cross the border and see for yourself. You will be amazed.
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Jul 02, 2014 12:56am
The article has several grammatical mistakes and weak English. I request the notice of editors.
Overall, it is a nice article. Good going, Algeria.
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Jul 02, 2014 01:04am
@Masoud Have you ever thought or considered that the right path would have been to serve the country as best as one could and observe the missed fast after Ramadan? Islam is a very flexible religion. Please do not turn it into a rigid or difficult religion. All is all wise, All knowing , Rahman and Rahim. We Muslims have turned our religion into something that Allah did not !!!
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Jul 02, 2014 01:27am
@Babar: There is something called 'Farz' which means that you have to do it.. no matter what. You need to learn more about the Islamic Religion. I understand the fact it is a flexible religion but at-least do not limit to a country... it is for all the ages. It does not limit to a success of a country or a region. It is for the entire age and the ages which are going to come so lets not put some question or standards to modify its core true meaning. Lets follow what was taught by our elders to follow and tell our predecessors the same.
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Jul 02, 2014 04:34am
Such a misleading title !!!
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Jul 02, 2014 04:56am
@Ash I disagree with you. The players should have decided to fast on the days following eid and should have tried to win the game. Close mindedness gets us nowhere. If there is namaz time, do players halt the game and pray?
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Jul 02, 2014 05:49am
@Babar you can't willy nilly miss fasts and make them up after ramadan - there has to be a valid reason and playing football isn't one of them. Islam is flexible religion but flexible for the right reasons i.e. Medical or whilst travellling !!!
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Jul 02, 2014 06:14am
Now they can have peaceful ramazan
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Jul 02, 2014 07:57am
In our hearts you have won the world cup. We are proud of you.
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Jul 02, 2014 08:11am
The Algerian Team should be proud. It isn't easy to get into the World Cup. But they have beaten the odds and gained themselves into the group of 16. That by itself shows how much strength they have. Blaming their loss on Ramadan or fasting is a weaklings call. They went in there and gave it their best and surprised the football giants of Germany. A loss is a loss. No matter how you lose. But both the Algerian team and their country should be ecstatic that they faced the giants and didn't suffer a tremendous defeat but instead, challenged them to a duel like equals. Do not be discouraged. Keep trying and you'll be there among the greatest. Remember even in France, most of the best players are of Algerian descent. So be proud!!!
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Jul 02, 2014 12:23pm
They lost but won hearts.
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Jul 02, 2014 02:13pm
@Ash SO very true.
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Jul 02, 2014 03:11pm
@Faiza G. R. Bhatt. Come on man. You are proud to be a third world country.
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Jul 02, 2014 03:15pm
The desert foxes will be back at the next world cup final anyway.
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Jul 02, 2014 03:57pm
Most of the muslims who comment here lack the basic understanding of football. Do you know how much water the body loses by sweating and how much energy is burnt? Football demands more physical power than any other game played by humans. If some players have observed fast and have indeed played football, it means they have abused their body and have shown little respect for it. but wait, what can be expected from any religion where superstitious beliefs rules its subjects.
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Jul 02, 2014 06:16pm
@jen I doubt if you know anything about Islam.
Stereotypes, Islam came to eliminate stereotypes and it has for those who practice it.
Stop being a Top Ignorant on this face of earth, get some light and read more from authentic sources.
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Jul 03, 2014 09:14am
@Waania it's an AFP article, nothing nice about it, just a cheap shot in my view really.
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Jul 03, 2014 12:59pm
@mubasher : Jen was giving rational science explanation on game's
demand on body. What's that to do with reading Islam?
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Jul 03, 2014 02:49pm
All the African football teams from Algeria, Ghana and Nigeria played very well and almost won the game. Playing very well does not always mean winning. Mexico played very well but were deprived of winning or progressing to extra time because of unjust decision by the refree by awarding penalty against them.
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Jul 04, 2014 12:25am
The reality is that when you cannot recuperate, you lose your strength by a notch. Even a single notch is enough to lose when both sides were equally balanced. They could have fasted after Ramadan.
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Jul 04, 2014 03:43am
Bickering aside, can anyone factually inform us as to how many on-field players (if any) were fasting?
Aside from that, Algeria played 4 matches: lost 2-1 to Belgium, drew with Russia 1-1 (apparently the algerian equaliser was scored when someone was pointing a laser at the russian goalie's face), beat S. Korea 4-2, lost to Germany 2-1. Hardly a scintillating record.
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Jul 04, 2014 03:48am
@amendes
What era do you live in, amendes?
Pakistan whitewashed England 3-0 in test series couple of years ago and beat india 2-1 IN india in odi series. According to latest ICC test rankings Pakistan are 3rd out of 10 test playing countries. If that is not good then I do not know what is.
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Jul 04, 2014 03:51am
Bickering aside, can anyone factually inform us as to how many on-field players (if any) were fasting?
Aside from that, Algeria played 4 matches: lost 2-1 to Belgium, drew with Russia 1-1 (apparently the algerian equaliser was scored when someone was pointing a laser at the russian goalie's face), beat S. Korea 4-2, lost to Germany 2-1. Hardly a scintillating record.
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Jul 04, 2014 05:26am
Are we saying that the Muslims, should not play any sports during the Holy month of Ramazan as we might loose.
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Jul 04, 2014 10:11am
pakistan cricket team can learn something from these guys. playing soccer for 90s mins while fasting and then not laying the excuse on Ramadan shows their imaan. well done guys, you should be proud of your achievement.
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Jul 04, 2014 11:18am
@event horizon Even if it is due to Ramazan des not matter, religious duty is always first priority winnining in soccer is nothing before religious duty. It may be difficult for you to understand.
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Jul 05, 2014 03:57pm
@Ali but they are not muslim so .......
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Jul 06, 2014 03:43pm
So what if they fasted? They are not risking someone's life are they? They will be thirsty yes, but they are hardly 'abusing their bodies' as some non-scientist with an agenda said on these pages somewhere lol. The athlete's kidney is a far smarter organ than that. Just a game of football, and they made us all proud. The benefits of fasting outweigh the negatives as we Muslims know what hunger and thirst feel like and hence are one of the most charitable of God's nations on earth. Those who tell us off for fasting hate this fact. Humans actually eat too much and too often, fasting for long periods is closer to an animal's natural state. Again, those who tell us off for fasting hate this fact.
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Jul 07, 2014 11:23am
Is this religion so rigid that it does not allow humans to give their best response according to the time and situation? Why insult football if you cant give your full? Why cant you just walk-off stating that religion is more important than this game? Algerians have insulted germans by not eating and then coming for playing football. To pakistanis who still doesnt have a clue, will you agree if a district team of any country plays against pakistan team in a world cup? Will it be not considered as an insult by the pakistani team? This act of algerians have offended the football fans. If religion is everything for you, stay inside your home and dont compete in any international sports. Sports is considered more sacred for us than religion is for yours. Dont thrust your stupid beliefs in games. Period.
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