Ten-man Algeria share spoils with spirited Sudan in goalless draw

Doha, Qatar: Defending champions Algeria reduced to 10 men in the opening half held off a relentless second half surge from a determined Sudan out...

Doha, Qatar: Defending champions Algeria – reduced to 10 men in the opening half – held off a relentless second-half surge from a determined Sudan outfit to begin their FIFA Arab Cup title defence with a hard-earned point yesterday.

Algeria opened their Group D campaign at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on a bright note, controlling much of the first-half play before Adam Ounas was dismissed just before the interval after receiving his second yellow card.

The sending-off shifted the momentum dramatically in Sudan’s favour, and they pushed forward continuously after the break, yet the score remained unchanged in front of a crowd of more than 37,000 fans.

“We are focused and our goal is to reach the knockout stage,” Sudanese goalkeeper Mohamed Alnour said following the match. “We performed well but we still have big games ahead in the group, and everyone is determined to give their maximum.”

Algeria's Yassine Benzia (right) and Sudan’s Ammar Tayfour vie for the ball.