Algeria 1982
This video of the Germany v Algeria group match from the 1982 World Cup is prompted by the Guardian’s inclusion of Algeria’s right-back Chaabane Merzekane as one of the great unsung heroes of football. His two 70-yard runs up the pitch are pretty good, but the match as a whole is brilliant, and Algeria’s second goal, a sucker-punch straight after Rumenigge’s equaliser, is amazing, 20 seconds of dream pass-and-move and a team goal up there with Carlos Alberto’s in the 1970 final. Algeria looked like a superb team but went out at the end of the group stage following a fit-up by Germany and Austria somewhat reminiscent of the Ireland / Holland go-slow in the 1990 finals.
August 22nd, 2009 20:41
While I certainly can’t argue with Aldo’s inclusion in the list, I’m not so sure about Merzekane. On the evidence of this video he appears to be a tremendously quick player, but without a great touch. A hare, essentially, like a quick version of Kevin Kilbane.