How Did Your Team Do?
Now that all five of the African teams in the 2014 World Cup are out, VOA Football looks back at the numbers. From shots on goal to goals scored, and from time of possession to number of yellow cards, see how your favorite team performed:
Ramadan Mubarak!
Never mind the guys on the opposing team: some Muslim athletes heading into World Cup play face heady internal competition between the rigors of fasting and football.
Saturday marked the start of Ramadan, the Islamic month of contemplation, prayer and fasting. While there are exemptions – for infirmity, advanced age or physically demanding jobs – most devout Muslims refrain from eating or drinking anything from sunrise to sunset.
For Muslim athletes playing in the World Cup, this is an especially difficult challenge: this year is the first time in nearly three decades that the World Cup coincides with Ramadan.
Read more at VOANews.com.
Germany (2-1) Algeria
UPDATE: Despite their previous efforts to keep from being eliminated, the Algerians couldn’t this time, falling to Germany 2-1 and falling out of the tournament. Germany, meanwhile, will go on to play France on Friday.
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After Nigeria lost to France earlier in the day, all of Africa’s hopes hang on Algeria’s shoulders. In their way: Germany, a powerhouse team that will be difficult to beat. Can Algeria keep Africa in the hunt for the Cup? Or will the continent be eliminated? Find out at 4 PM ET (8 PM UTC).
For play-by-play, minute-by-minute coverage of every ball touch, throw-in, direct kick, indirect kick, yellow card, red card, corner kick, goal kick and every other possible football feat in every World Cup match, tap into VOA’s multilingual, multinational analysis.
Click here to follow the action live, or follow along on Facebook, or on Twitter with #WorldCupVOA.
And for even more exclusive VOA coverage with a special focus on Africa’s national teams, check out VOA’s Francophone blog.
Algeria (1-1) Russia
UPDATE: They’ve done it again – Algeria survives to the Round of 16 with a 1-1 draw with Russia.
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As we discussed previously, Algeria lived through one do-or-die moment against South Korea in group play. Today, they’ll hope to live through another as they take on Russia. If Les Fennecs can win, they’ll move on to the knockout stage along with Belgium. But if they lose, Russia advances. Watch the action live at 4 PM ET (8 PM UTC).
For play-by-play, minute-by-minute coverage of every ball touch, throw-in, direct kick, indirect kick, yellow card, red card, corner kick, goal kick and every other possible football feat in every World Cup match, tap into VOA’s multilingual, multinational analysis.
Click here to follow the action live, or follow along on Facebook, or on Twitter with #WorldCupVOA.
And for even more exclusive VOA coverage with a special focus on Africa’s national teams, check out VOA’s Francophone blog.
Algeria (4-2) South Korea
UPDATE: After a flurry of goals, Algeria beat South Korea 4-2, and took second in Group H behind Belgium. Now South Korea’s on the hot seat – if they fall to Belgium on Thursday, their World Cup is over. Algeria, meanwhile, can get to the Round of 16 with a win over Russia.
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After a 1-1 draw with Russia, South Korea will be playing for a spot in the Round of 16. Algeria, meanwhile, will be playing for their soccer lives – after a 2-1 loss to Belgium, if Les Fennecs lose this match, their 2014 World Cup is over.
Watch Algeria fight – and see if they can survive – at 3 PM ET (7 PM UTC).
For play-by-play, minute-by-minute coverage of every ball touch, throw-in, direct kick, indirect kick, yellow card, red card, corner kick, goal kick and every other possible football feat in every World Cup match, tap into VOA’s multilingual, multinational analysis.
Click here to follow the action live, or follow along on Facebook, or on Twitter with #WorldCupVOA.
And for even more exclusive VOA coverage with a special focus on Africa’s national teams, check out VOA’s Francophone blog.