BRAZIL: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Algeria and Russia fans prepare for a difficult World Cup match

Record ID: 574368

  • Title: BRAZIL: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Algeria and Russia fans prepare for a difficult World Cup match
  • Date: 26th June 2014
  • Summary: CURITIBA, BRAZIL (JUNE 26, 2014) (REUTERS) BAIXADA ARENA, CURITIBA WELCOME SIGN ON APARTMENT BUILDING, WITH THE FLAGS OF EIGHT TEAMS WHO HAVE PLAYED IN CURITIBA POLICE MEN AND WOMEN ALGERIA FANS OUTSIDE STADIUM ALGERIA FANS (SOUNDBITE) (English) ALGERIAN NATIONAL SAMIR DGEBBRL, WHO LIVES IN LILLE, FRANCE, SAYING: "Very difficult for both, and I hope that we will play attack, not like the first match we played more behind, and this our fault. I am very convinced that if Algeria play normal and they have trust we will win normal, or at least we will make 0-0 and will qualify." CLOSE ALGERIAN FANS DANCING WIDE ALGERIAN FANS DANCING ALGERIAN FANS SINGING, BANGING DRUMS SOUNDBITE (French) MOHAMED BOUCHAMA, FROM ALGERIA, SAYING: "Yes, it is a very difficult match. It is the last match of qualifying, so today it is very difficult for both teams. They have to concentrate, they have to be strong but I hope that the best one wins, that Algeria qualifies. We have never qualified for the second round before, in 2002 we took part, in 1996, 1990 and this will be the fourth time so I really hope that it happens this time." ALGERIAN FANS WITH SINGLE RUSSIA FAN SOUNDBITE (English) RUSSIA FAN, IGOR BOGOMOLOV FROM MOSCOW, SAYING: "It will be a difficult match because our team have not been good in the first two games against Korea and Belgium. We hope that in this match we take a victory. And beat Germany in the last 16. It is my dream. A quarter final. And the last 16 will be the best Russian result since the fall of the Soviet Union. It is very important to us." RUSSIA FANS WITH RUSSIA FLAG ALGERIAN FANS SHOUTING AT CAMERA THAT SCORE WILL BE 3-0
  • Embargoed: 11th July 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Brazil
  • Country: Brazil
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA8XLO0SNA2VP4LNA7KH745A0BV
  • Story Text: Algeria are likely to have the bulk of the support at the Baixada Arena in Curitiba for their crucial Group H match against Russia on Thursday (June 26).
    Algerian supporters were already in the party mood hours before kick off, while Russians were few and far between.
    In all likelihood, Algeria will need just a point to qualify for the second round for the first time in their history.
    They nearly did so 32 years ago at the World Cup in Spain, only to be denied when Austria and Germany drew, a result which sent both teams through at the expense of the Africans.
    Algerian fans have not forgiven either team for their alleged contrivance, and are relishing the chance for revenge if they do make the last 16, where they will play Germany.
    Russia know nothing more than a win will do, and like Algeria are hoping that South Korea lose to Belgium, who have already qualified.
    "Very difficult for both, and I hope that we will play attack, not like the first match," said Algeria fan Samir Dgebbrl, who has fond memories of his team's last group game, a 4-2 demolition of South Korea.
    "I am very convinced that if Algeria play normal and they have trust we will win normal, or at least we will make 0-0 and will qualify."
    But Muscovite Igor Bogomolov was expecting a Russia victory - and a win against Germany in the second round.
    "It will be a difficult match because our team have not been good in the first two games against Korea and Belgium," he said. "We hope that in this match we take a victory. And beat Germany in the last 16. It is my dream. A quarter final. And the last 16 will be the best Russian result since the fall of the Soviet Union. It is very important to us."
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