Karim Matmour to Echorouk: “I promise Algerian fans to score for Algeria’s team during Africa Cup 2012 qualificationsâ€
Karim Matmour during Echorouk Forum
Algeria’s team striker Karim Matmour showed a good performance recently with his German club Monchengladbach. In an interview with Echorouk, hours before playing the match against Liverpool, he spoke about the Algerian team and said that the coming Africa Cup qualifications would be difficult, but Desert Foxes can win the cup because they have enough potential and talent.
- Tell us about the match against Liverpool. Are you ready for it?
- I think it will be difficult. It is just a preparatory match, and my aim is to ensure a basic position in the club. It is not a historical confrontation.
- Is not it a great opportunity to show good performance before football stars in Liverpool?
- It is not as easy as you think, because in such matches, we do not seek individual fame, but it is an opportunity to test a group of plans and positions by the coach who seek basic elements and appropriate alternatives.
- You challenged English stars during the World Cup, and now you are playing before them again. Do you have any desire to score this time?
- I told you this match is an opportunity to prepare for the new season. I am ready to score at any occasion. I think that playing in Monchengladbach is different from playing for Algeria’s team.
- Your teammate Amri Chadli showed a good performance during the match against Liverpool. How do you comment on that?
- Chadli has great potential and I’m glad he joined Kaiserslautern. I wish he will play an excellent season. I think he played an amazing game before Liverpool and this makes all Algerian fans happy.
- Despite your late return but you showed good performance in the first friendly match.
- I think the new season requires sacrifices. Now we are at the beginning and we need additional work. Physically I am ready to play especially after holidays in Greece.
- Algerian fans felt happy after your amazing goal before Venlo, and they wished it during the World Cup.
- I wished to score during the World Cup, but there was no luck. I did all my best to score but things are completely different. I hope I will score in the upcoming matches with Algeria’s team.
- Many clubs wish to sign you but you decided to stay in Monchengladbach, why?
- I do not want to talk about my transfer, as there are instructions by the club’s officials to avoid speaking about this subject, I only can say that I am staying here for another season. I cannot decide yet as the transfer season is still valid until August 31.
- Your answer means that you are hesitating about your future in Monchengladbach.
- You are my friend and you know me well, please I can not answer this question because I refuse to talk about this for the moment, but all possibilities remain open.
- Perhaps an English club will sign you?
- (Smiles)….I think the transfer season has not closed .The summer transfers this year was normal. It is hard luck for Algerian players, but I think things will change during the next two weeks.
- There is talk about Sunderland and Bolton. Is it true?
- I can not answer you because I have been instructed to avoid talking about this subject; please can we talk about other things.
- Tell us about your coach, who seems trying to protect you from the media and prevented you from speaking to them.
- Karim Matmour: It is good and I am serious in my trainings for a new season.
- As long as you are trying to evade the question about your club, let us talk about Algeria’s team. How do you see the friendly match against Gabon?
- I think it will be difficult, as we will move from glare and World Cup to seeking Africa Cup qualification. Circumstances are different and African confrontations are always hard.
- What can you say about Rabah Saadane, who remains always at Algeria’s team coaching?
- Karim Matmour: I think the results will play in his favour or against him. For the players it is good to keep the same technical and medical staff.
- Coach Rabah Saadane kept the same squad which participated in the World Cup with some simple changes. Do you agree with this choice?
- (smiles)….I can not interfere in the powers of the coach.
- Do you think Algeria’s team can win Africa Cup 2012, according to the agreement between Saadane and Raouraoua.
- We must first qualify to the Africa Cup before seeking to win the cup.
- Do you think qualification would be difficult before teams like Tanzania and Central Africa?
- Difficulty lies in the conditions and not in teams, because we know our capacities and we do not fear any team, it depends on what we are going to do in these matches.
- There was a fierce competition last year with the Egyptian team, and this time with the Moroccan one, how can you describe the derby?
- Competition is always present during matches, and circumstances will be different before Morocco’s team. I am optimistic.
- At the end what can you say to Algerian fans to watch you here on Sunday before Liverpool?
- Thank you for your solidarity. I received many e mails and I red them all. I promise I will show good performance with Algeria’s team in the future.
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