Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Algeria vs. Egypt World Cup Qualifier

On Thursday bitter rivals Algeria and Egypt will clash in a sudden-death playoff for a spot in the Football World Cup finals, and if the previous fixture in Cairo is anything to go by, expect there to be plenty of fireworks.

In that match, needing to beat the Group C leaders by two clear goals at home, Egypt recorded a famous last gasp 2-0 win five minutes into stoppage time. The result meant that both Egypt and Algeria finished tied on points, goal difference, goals scored and head-to-head records sending the fixture into a sudden-death playoff.

In addition to the events on the field, the match will also be remembered for the scenes that followed in its aftermath including rioting in the Algerian capital Algiers, and French port city of Marseilles and incidents in and around Cairo itself where 12 Egyptians and 20 Algerians were injured - some of the latter being wounded after their bus was stoned. Such behaviour is a continuation of the event's that took place on Thursday, when the Algerian team bus was attacked by Egyptian youths.

The deciding match will played at the neutral venue of Sudan. Head to head TAB Sportsbet (NSW) has Egypt has $2 favourites ahead of the $3.50 Algerians, while a draw after 90 minutes is paying $3.50. Other betting markets on the match include Correct Score, Half time/Full time double, Half-time result, 1st Half correct score, and Total Goals Over/Under (normal time).


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