Khaberni - Algeria's national team began its campaign to defend the Arab Cup for football with a goalless draw against the Sudanese national team today, Wednesday, after playing the entire second half with ten players following the dismissal of Adam Ounas, while Sudan's substitute goalkeeper Mohamed El Noor excelled in defending his goal.
Algeria’s team, led by coach Majid Bougherra, entered the match amidst criticism for the many changes seen in the lineup compared to the team that won the title four years ago, which the coach attributed to some European clubs refusing to allow their players to leave to participate in the tournament.
However, the title holder started the match strongly at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Qatar and turned a dangerous attack by Sudan into a corner in the third minute.
In the tenth minute, Sofiane Bendebka turned a dangerous cross with his head but the ball veered away from the goal.
Three minutes later, the referee refused to award a penalty to Algeria after Adel Belbina fell in the area following contact with a defender, which also resulted in skirmishes between the players of the two teams.
The Sudanese team tried to exchange attacks with "The Desert Foxes" but was unable to penetrate the defense of the opponent.
In the 25th minute, a Sudanese defender cleared Belbina's shot that was on its way to the goal.
Sudan's goalkeeper Mohamed El Noor, who replaced Munjid Al Neel injured during the warm-up, excelled in the 26th minute when he saved a close-range shot from the goal before controlling an Algerian corner and clearing the danger in the 34th minute.
El Noor also made a strong save from Belbina, Algeria's most dangerous player, in the 43rd minute.
Adam Ounas, player of Algeria, was sent off in stoppage time of the first half for receiving his second yellow card due to a reckless challenge on an opponent.
Sudan benefits from the numerical disadvantage
The Sudanese team took advantage of the numerical shortage in the Algerian ranks at the beginning of the second half to turn a dangerous attack from the left side into a corner three minutes after the break.
The attempts of Sudan continued on the goal of Algeria's goalkeeper Farid Chaal, while Algeria tried to use the skills of its players in counterattacks. Radwan Barkan forced a defender to get a yellow card for fouling him near the penalty area, and Belbina took the free kick in the 62nd minute, but the defensive wall repelled it and the goalkeeper held it.
Sudan wasted its most dangerous chance of the match with a close shot that hit the side netting in the 70th minute.
In the 74th minute, Algeria's goalkeeper cleared the danger after a dangerous cross pass from Sudan.
The Sudanese defense blocked two consecutive attacks from Algeria in the 79th minute before Amir Sayoud, who led Algeria to win the title in the last edition of the Arab Cup, replaced Belbina ten minutes before the end of regular time.
