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Algeria can beat the best teams, says coach Halilhodzic | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Algerian national soccer team’s Bosnian head coach Vahid Halilhodzic gestures during an international friendly soccer match between Algeria and Armenia at Stade de Tourbillon in Sion, Switzerland, on May 31, 2014. (EPA/Laurent Gillieron)


Algerian national soccer team's Bosnian head coach Vahid Halilhodzic gestures during an international friendly soccer match between Algeria and Armenia at Stade de Tourbillon in Sion, Switzerland, on May 31, 2014. (EPA/Laurent Gillieron)

Algerian national soccer team’s Bosnian head coach Vahid Halilhodzic gestures during an international friendly soccer match between Algeria and Armenia at Stade de Tourbillon in Sion, Switzerland, on May 31, 2014. (EPA/Laurent Gillieron)

Reuters–Algeria proved they are capable of beating top teams at the World Cup in Brazil with a 2-1 win over Romania in their final warm-up game, coach Vahid Halilhodzic said.

He declared the 2-1 victory in Geneva one of the side’s best performances since he took over three year ago.

“The team showed it could win over top teams. We leave for the World Cup with a good track record. We could have scored more goals if we had been more effective in front,” Halilhodzic said after the match, which was interrupted by unruly fans before halftime and again during the second half.

“I felt that my team were able to raise their level from the previous match against Armenia. I am very optimistic for the future,” he told reporters.

Algeria beat Armenia 3-1 in Sion on Saturday in the first of two warm-up games in Switzerland.

“My players have regained some physical freshness. Certainly they had felt a slight fatigue, but I have already told you they will be even better as we approach the World Cup, adding that the team will be “even better” on June 17 in their opening Group H match against Belgium.

He said however he was still not sure of his starting lineup for the game.

“I’ve some ideas but for now I have yet to work out 100 percent the team that will play the first game of the World Cup. Belgium is a notch above Romania,” Halilhodzic added.

Algeria are playing at the World Cup finals for the fourth time but have never made it past the first round. Their group in Brazil also includes Russia and South Korea.