ALGERIA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Algerian soccer fans are pleased with World Cup draw that lands them with Belgium, Russia and South Korea

Record ID: 574235

  • Title: ALGERIA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Algerian soccer fans are pleased with World Cup draw that lands them with Belgium, Russia and South Korea
  • Date: 7th December 2013
  • Summary: ALGIERS, ALGERIA (DECEMBER 6, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE IN CAFE VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WATCHING WORLD CUP DRAW ON TELEVISION VARIOUS OF PEOPLE REACTING TO WORLD CUP DRAW (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ALGERIA SUPPORTER, IMAD, SAYING: "It is better than to end up with Spain and the others. I think a draw with South Korea, and we will lose against the two other teams, but not with a large score, so it won't a big loss." PEOPLE WATCHING DRAW ON TELEVISION (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ALGERIA SUPPORTER, NOURREDINE, SAYING: "There is a hope in this group, and we will pass, God willing, to the second round." PEOPLE WATCHING DRAW ON TELEVISION (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ALGERIA SUPPORT, MOHAMED, SAYING: "It is an easy group, we hope to win against them and to qualify. We have hope against Korea and Belgium and I hope we'll qualify." PEOPLE WATCHING DRAW ON TELEVISION
  • Embargoed: 22nd December 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Algeria
  • Country: Algeria
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA7HEQ5FEYUD29D9T9GY3K9BS1I
  • Story Text: Soccer fans in Algiers, Algeria, said they were optimistic of their side's chances in the 2014 World Cup, as they saw Algeria drawn in Group H along with Belgium, South Korea and Russia, on Friday (December 6).
    Les Fennecs will play their first match against Belgium on June 17 in Belo Horizonte and, for supporters at the cafe, watching the draw live from Costa de Sauipe, the result could have been much worse.
    28-year-old Imad was quite pessimistic, believing that Algeria might only be able to get a draw against the South Koreans. However, he was happy to avoid World and European champions Spain.

    "It is better than to end up with Spain and the others. I think a draw with South Korea, and we will lose against the two other teams, but not with a large score, so it won't a big loss," he said.
    Noureddine, another supporter, said he had hope for Algeria's chances in the group.

    "We will pass, God willing, to the second round," he added.
    Mohamed was incredibly confident after hearing news of the draw.

    "It is an easy group, we hope to win against them and to qualify. We have hope against Korea and Belgium and I hope we'll qualify," he insisted.
    Algeria qualified for their fourth World Cup finals via a play-off victory over Burkina Faso.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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