Chakouri to Echorouk: “Saâdane's tactical scheme at the 2010 World cup contest was not to my liking”

The talented Algerian defender of the Belgian first – division club of Charleroi, Mohamed Chakouri, who was expected to be included in the Algeria line-up ahead of the 2010 World cup competition in South Africa but was not called up by national team coach Rabah Saâdane at the last minute, has granted an exclusive interview to “Echorouk” in which he harked back to the Greens' commendable participation in the World cup tournament as well as to his current situation with his Belgian outfit of Charleroi. 

• Echorouk : First of all, how are doing now with your Belgian club of Charleroi?
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• Chakouri : Well, everything is going rather smoothly for me. I am currently in full preparation with my Belgian squad of Charleroi in expectation of the new football season.
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• We have just played a warm – up match versus the French first – league team of Lens and we won the game by 2 goals to one.
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• I played this intense match as defender as usual and everything went well, according to my Belgian coach Charles Leroy.
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• Echorouk : Everyone was taken aback at your absence from the Algeria line-up to take part in the 2010 World cup tournament in South Africa especially after the official call – up you received from the Algerian football federation.
• Actually, what prevented you from joining the Greens of Algeria?
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• Chakouri : As a matter of fact, I was overjoyed at the prospect of joining the Algeria line-up for a dream-like participation in the 2010 World cup tournament.
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• But everything went awry for me unexpectedly after my Belgian team coach’s flat refusal to let me go arguing that the Charleroi squad was at that time in full preparation for the next football season.
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• I felt so dismayed and disappointed at this surprising turn in events.
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• Echorouk : Despite this untoward mishap which befell you, what is your overall appraisal of the Greens’ performance in the first round of the World cup tournament?
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• Chakouri : Well, for me the Algeria players were really up to the mark and demonstrated a lot of talent and a great potential during their three Group C matches versus such strong squads as Slovenia, England and the USA.
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• They really did a laudable job and they missed a qualification for the second round of the competition by a whisker after their narrow and last – minute 1 – nil setback versus the USA.
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• Echorouk : But, the Greens’ striking line failed to score any salvaging goals during these 3 matches?
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• Chakouri : It’s true but I should point out that several world renowned strikers like Argentinean Lionel Messi and English Wayne Rooney were also unable to score any goal during this world cup contest.
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• Thereby, one should not blame the Algerian strikers like Djebbour, Ghezzal and Matmour for failing to find their opponents’ net despite unflagging efforts.
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• Maybe, luck was not the order of the day for the Algerian strikers during their three hot-tempered matches of the first round.
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• Echorouk : You watched with keen interest the three first- round world cup matches played diligently by the Greens of Algeria. What is your assessment of the performance displayed on the pitch by notably Fouad Kadir and your former teammate in the Charleroi outfit namely Adlène Guedioura?
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• Chakouri : I was both flabbergasted and extremely pleased at the commendable performance made by right – wing forward Fouad Kadir. He really did a good job despite the fact that he played at a post he is not really accustomed to. In other words, he proved to be an asset for the Algeria team.
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• As for new midfielder Adlène Guedioura, his incorporation in the last twenty minutes of the fixtures versus Slovenia, England and the USA was not sufficient for him to display all his immense potentialities.
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• Anyway, Adlène Guedioura is a talented professional player who is to be reckoned with.
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• Echorouk : Despite the last – minute hitch with your Belgian club which prevented you from joining the Greens of Algeria for the 2010 World cup contest, don’t you think that you had a rightful place within Saâdane’s line – up?
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• Chakouri : Well, I should honestly say that the three Algerian defenders namely Madjid Bouguerra, Antar Yahia and Rafik Halliche were tip top and did a great job.
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•  As a matter of fact, national coach Rabah Saâdane prefers always to play with three defenders but this chosen tactical scheme does not appeal to me as I have always played with a defensive line made up of 4 defenders during my whole professional football career.
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• Echorouk : Now, are you still hopeful to join for good the Algeria squad in expectation of the Africa cup of nations’ qualifiers slated for early September?
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• Chakouri : I am truly looking forward to being called up for real by the national team coach and it will be a great honour for me to wear and to defend the national colours. Anyway, I hope for the best on all accounts!
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