Ali Benarbia to “Echourok” our goalkeeper was behind our disarray in 2001 versus Egypt

Since his retirement in 2006, the former football star Ali Benarbia imposed his veto on both French and Algerian media, but exceptionally he accepted to give a lengthy interview to “Echourok” in which he comes back on the defeat versus Egypt in 2001 and talks about the national squad’s chances for the qualification to the World Cup.

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• Q: The Algerian public is asking about Ali Benarbia’s news what can you tell him?
• A: I’m living in Doha, Qatar, since I have stopped my professional career where I run my businesses.
• Q: Can you give us 10 minutes for an interview?
• A: Though I decided not to give interviews to French or Algerian media, I will make an exception for you go ahead.
• Q: One of the questions that comes in mind deals with the historic defeat of the Algerian squad versus the Egyptian side in 2001, in which you take part would you explain the reasons behind this crushing defeat?
• A: I think we played very well during this match, but there was a reason for this defeat.
• Q: Can you how did the Algerian squad lose 5-2 ?
• A: It was due to the selfishness of the goalkeeper who kept secret his injury and decided to play instead of letting his place to his substitute.
• Q: You mean that you couldn’t lose if it wasn’t this reason?
• A: No, there was another one, the team that moved to Cairo was built in a week time, and the players were not used to play together, personally I didn’t know the names of all the players.
• Q: Some talked pressure applied on you in Cairo stadium, is that true?
• A: There wasn’t any type of pressure and we were able to beat because the Egyptian side was not better than us, but as I told you the goalkeeper’s mistakes and lack of homogeneity between the players led to this result.
• Q: Are you still in touch with the national squad’s news?
• A: Yes, regularly because I’m fan
• Q: Have you followed the matches during the qualifiers?
• A: Unfortunately no, because I was overwhelmed by my businesses in France and Qatar, but I know that the Algerian squad takes the lead with three points ahead of the Pharaohs before the remaining two matches and this is excellent.
• Q: Do you think that the Algerian squad has a potential to qualify to the World Cup?
• A: To be honest, I cannot give any value judgment on the team though I’m convinced that the group is excellent hence his position on top of the group. As a fan, I really hope a qualification to South Africa.
• Q:  The Algerian squad will play a decisive math in Cairo versus Egypt; do you think that a win there is possible?
• A: We don’t have to focus a lot on a win in Cairo, what really matters is the qualification if we took into account the present situation, a draw is fully enough to go to South Africa.
• Q: You have mentioned Rafik Saifi earlier; did you meet him in Qatar?
• A: Unfortunately no, since my retirement I have cut all ties with the football scene, I didn’t even meet my friend Faidounou who is playing here, but I’m’ looking forward to meeting Saifi in the coming days.