Russia’s Zhirkov Warns of Algeria’s Strength Ahead of World Cup Clash
As the 2014 FIFA World Cup kicks off this Thursday, Algeria’s Group H opponents are showing deep respect for the North African side, with Russia’s captain Yuri Zhirkov among those wary of the Fennecs’ capabilities.
Zhirkov, who leads Fabio Capello’s Russian national team, praised Algeria as a formidable opponent.
“Algeria is an excellent team, made up of good players. We respect this team a lot. It will be a really difficult match for us,” Zhirkov said in a recent interview.
The Russian captain emphasized that Algeria’s qualification alone is testament to their quality and competitiveness on the global stage.
“Qualifying for the World Cup clearly shows that they are an excellent team,” Zhirkov added.
Looking ahead to their Group H encounter on 26 June, Zhirkov expressed hope that Russia could secure qualification before facing Algeria, potentially easing the pressure in the decisive fixture.
“I hope we can qualify before the last match against Algeria,” he said.
The upcoming match is expected to be a tightly contested affair, as both teams aim to advance to the knockout stages in a competitive group.
Algeria, coached by Vahid Halilhodžić, have earned praise for their dynamic and disciplined style of play, making them a serious challenge for any opponent.
Russia will be eager to secure points early in the group to bolster their chances of progressing, with Zhirkov’s leadership seen as pivotal in guiding the squad through the tournament.
As the World Cup progresses, the clash between Russia and Algeria is shaping up to be a key fixture in Group H.
