Algeria name preliminary World Cup squad

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Wednesday, 05 May 2010 09:30

Algeria have named a preliminary squad for the 2010 World Cup, most of whom took part in the recent Africa Cup of Nations and head coach Rabbah Saadane has confirmed that he wanted to keep the backbone of the team that got through to the semi-final in Angola.

Algeria are in the same group as England, Slovenia and United States and are thought of by some as the dark horse of the group. They are currently third favourite to go through, but a good result against either England or the United States will make them a strong contender.

"Selection has been a real headache but I wanted to keep the backbone of the team that got through to the semi-final in Angola," Saadane told journalists this week.
Algeria Squad

Goalkeepers: Fawzi Chouachi (ES Setif), Lounes Gaouaoui (ASO Chlef), Mohamed Lamine Zemmamouche (MC Alger), M'bohi Rais Ouheb (Slavia Sofia/BUL)

Defenders: Abdelkader Laifaoui (ES Setif), Madjid Bougherra (Rangers/SCO), Carl Medjani Carl (Ajaccio/FRA), Rafi Halliche (Nacional Madeira/POR), Anther Yahia (Bochum/GER), Haib Belaid (Boulogne/FRA), Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth/ENG), Djamel Mesbah (Lecce/ITA)

Midfielders: Hassen Yebda (Potsmouth/ENG), Mehdi Lacen (Racing Santander/ESP), Yazid Mansouri (Lorient/FRA), Adlane Guedioura (Wolverhampton/ENG), Riad Boudebouz Riad (Sochaux/FRA), Djamel Abdoun (Nantes/FRA), Fouad Kadir (Valencienne/ FRA), Mourad Meghni (Lazio/ITA), Karim Ziani (Wolfsburg/GER), Karim Matmour (M'Gladbach/GER)

Strikers: Abdelkader Ghezzal (Sienna/ITA), Rafik Djebbour (AEK Athens/GRE), Rafik Saifi (Istres/FRA)