20100619
allafrica

Algeria pulled off an upset draw with England in Cape Town on Friday, holding one of the World Cup favourites to a goalless tie at the Green Point Stadium.

It keeps alive the hopes of the North Africans in Group C, who have their first points of the competition but have yet to score, but leaves England to face a barrage of criticism after their second successive draw at the finals in South Africa.

It was not surprising that Algeria were full of motivation for their key tie of the group, especially after having gifted Slovenia a win in Polokwane in their previous match.

They played above themselves in all departments, competing for the ball, getting men behind the ball when England were in possession and putting in some well timed tackles to keep the much vaunted Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard at bay.

England brought on the attacking Jermaine Defoe and tall Peter Crouch to try to engineer a late goal but the stout defending of Rafik Halliche and Majid Bougherra proved up to the challenge.

Admittedly Algeria never really troubled the English goalkeeper David James but they certainly kept the defenders busy.

The North Africans have not scored a goal in open play since January, but will be delighted with the point. They were given little chance before the start of the tournament in a group, which also includes the United States, but if they beat the Americans next in Pretoria they might yet squeeze through to the knockout round against all expectation.

Friday's game was a personal triumph for veteran coach Rabah Saadane, who gambled with some radical changes to his team, including captain Yazid Mansouri, on the eve of the tournament.