Saadane concerned about Algeria’s lack of bite

Algeria coach Rabah Saadane expressed concern here Saturday at his team’s lack of bite in attack after Friday’s lopsided 3-0 loss in their World Cup warm-up against non-qualifiers the Republic of Ireland.

The north Africans could not complain about not getting on the scoresheet in Dublin, having failed to get even a single shot on target in the opening period.

And Saadane conceded: “It’s true that we have a big problem with the national team’s attack.”

In an interview with Algerian radio he added: “We are going to continue to work towards the aim of improving things for the World Cup.”

Algeria have shipped 11 goals to none scored in four games since their 4-0 loss to Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final in Angola in January.

Striker Abdelkader Ghezzal has failed to score since last October’s 3-1 win against Rwanda in a World Cup qualifier.

Despite their recent run of poor performances Saadane however remains optimistic over his team’s prospects in South Africa where they are drawn in Group C with England, United States and Slovenia.

Reflecting on Friday’s friendly defeat Sadaane said: “There were lots of satisfying aspects to take from this game in terms of individual performances from certain players, even if there were lapses in concentration which we’ll have to sort out during our training camp in Germany.”

Algeria are due to complete their World Cup preparations in the German city of Nuremberg from Monday with their last warm-up scheduled for June 5 against the United Arab Emirates.

Saadane concluded: “We’re practically in the last straight before the World Cup. This training camp will enable us to correct the stuff that didn’t work against Ireland as we still have work to do before we’re at our best at the finals themselves.”