Algeria Coach Vahid Halilhodzic Elated After 4-2 Win Over South Korea
Algerian coach Vahid Halilhodzic was visibly emotional following his team’s thrilling 4-2 victory against South Korea, a result that reignites hopes of reaching the World Cup round of 16 for the first time in over three decades.
Speaking after the match, Halilhodzic almost fought back tears as he reflected on his young team’s performance. “This team is young and psychologically it can’t handle pressure,” he said. “In the first half, it was an almost perfect match, with efficiency. As usual, we had a slump, maybe physical, maybe mental — we’ll have to talk about it. But Algeria played a heroic match. I congratulate all the players.”
He dedicated the win to the Algerian fans and people who have waited 32 years for such a moment. “It was a victory of pride,” he added.
The coach praised the quality of his side’s football, especially highlighting the fourth goal, which he described as “a textbook goal” appreciated even by the Brazilian crowd in the stadium.
Looking ahead, Halilhodzic acknowledged the challenge that awaits against Russia on Thursday, which will decide Algeria’s fate in the tournament. “There is a chance,” he said cautiously. “Russia is the favourite. But we must not hide; we must seek this qualification with even more audacity and suffering.”
With the team’s resilience and renewed confidence, Algeria enters their decisive final group match with hopes of making history and advancing to the knockout stage.
