In the quarter-finals of the Arab Cup, Algeria faced the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a tense match. The game was held on Friday at 18:30, with both teams vying for a spot in the semi-finals. The winner would go on to play against Morocco.
Match Overview
The match concluded in a stalemate, ending with a score of 0-0. Algeria struggled throughout the game, showcasing a lack of speed and creativity. The Fennecs found it difficult to convert opportunities, particularly in front of the UAE defense.
Key Events
- Yellow Cards: Marcus Meloni and Pimenta from the UAE received yellow cards for fouls committed against Algerian players, including Brahimi.
- Close Call: Abada had a goal disallowed for offside, much to the dismay of the Algerian side.
- Physical Play: The match was marked by multiple fouls, particularly against Algerian star Brahimi, who expressed frustration about the game’s physical nature.
Teams’ Line-ups
The line-ups reflected the tactical approaches of both teams:
| Algeria | UAE |
|---|---|
| Chaal | Almeqebali |
| Halaïmia | Amaral |
| Bedrane | Pimenta |
| Abada | Ivkovic |
| Baouche | Meloni |
| Lekhal | Gimenez |
| Bendebka | Nader |
| Benzia | Rashid |
| Brahimi (c) | Al Ghassani |
| Boulbina | Caio |
| Berkane | Bruno |
Tournament Implications
With this result, both teams have significant implications for their ongoing campaigns. The winner of this quarter-final would face Morocco, who recently advanced by defeating Syria. Meanwhile, Jordan secured their spot in the semi-finals by edging out Iraq 1-0.
This quarter-final highlighted Algeria’s challenge in defending their title, as they fell short against a physically imposing UAE team. Both teams will reflect on their performances as they look to improve in future matches.
