Arabs back Algeria, pray for victory against US
Barakat says if we cannot win in politics, it may well be in sport
Johannesburg : Arabs were flying the Algerian flag yesterday after they defied expectations to hold favourites England to a World Cup draw, keeping the only North African team's hopes alive of qualifying for the next round.
Algeria will now face the United States on Wednesday in Pretoria, a game Arabs said they would be watching keenly, not just because of the soccer, but because they will be wishing for an Arab victory against the super power.
If not in politics or economics, then soccer will do.
"We want to win against the USA — if we can't beat them politically or economically then at least we can do it in football," said Libyan sports commentator Mohammad Barakat.
While Washington is politically allied with many Middle East governments, Arabs have long complained that US policy in the region is behind their conflicts and economic woes.
The US-led invasion of Iraq added to a widespread anti-American sentiment.
Pan-Arab and Muslim groups on social networking site Facebook appeared urging support for Algeria.
Algerian flags were flying in the streets of Sudan's capital Khartoum, the venue where they qualified for their first World Cup in 24 years.
One Lebanese paper said Algeria "embarrassed" the England team on Friday in Cape Town.
