Karim Matmour to Echorouk: “Ivory Coast team is strong but does not frighten us”

Karim Matmour said the light pain by the level of muscle do not worry him a lot, asserting that he will be ready to face Ivory Cost next Sunday, and the Desert Foxes are not afraid of this team and are ready to face any team, particularly as they are psychologically liberated.  

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• *Before the match against Angola I felt some pain at the level of the close muscles, however they were not dangerous. The team’s doctor advised me to run and do some light exercise, and I was able to participate in the match and I played as normal. Because this injury is very sensitive I preferred not to train with the team, as the aggravating of this injury would prevent me from playing against Ivory Cost.
• *There was no pressure before the beginning of the competition; however we were psychologically affected after we lost the match against Malawi because we like any other Algerian citizens living in any country of the world were upset and sad that’s why we were obliged to win against Mali and Angola in order to ensure qualification, and that was the cause behind that large psychological pressure, particularly knowing that more than 35 million Algerians were expecting victory, likely we did not disappoint their hopes and we have achieved our goal thing which made us psychologically liberated.
• *We are not afraid of any team and we will face Ivory Coast without any problems. I think that their players are afraid and the match will be difficult and strong, particularly, since the two teams have professional players who play in the European leagues.
• – No one denies that Ivory Coast team is strong and has good players, however, the field is different, after we lost against Malawi is those circumstances that every one knows, everyone was expecting another defeat before Mali, but we won at the end. Every thing is possible, as we will play to win, it’s sure, but we have to follow instructions by the coach Rabah Saadane, because he knows things that we can’t see.
• *In our days nothing can be hided because of technology. Any team can know more about the other. I think that the strongest team will have the last word.
• *I don’t know the real reason, however, I think that our strikers did not get a lot of chances to score or they were unlucky, however this does not matter too much because we will qualify, as long as any player in the squad can score, it is an advantage.
• *Yes, statistics show that we have scored only one goal by the defender Rafik Halliche, and this means that we have a lot of choices, our defenders are the key behind success and we are not afraid at all because we know that our strikers will be free and score many goals, may be this is the beginning of qualification.
• *We know that the ground field of Cabinda stadium is bad, however, we can not change things because the problem is general and I think that the organizers are careful and do their best to reform the ground in order to be ready for the match. In my opinion playing important matches in such grounds and in close times damages the grass, however, after six days of rest and maintenance the grass will be good on Sunday.