Algeria score late in World Cup warm-up to upset Dutch with surprise away win

ROTTERDAM - Winger Anis Hadj Moussa scored on his home ground to give Algeria a surprise 1-0 away win over the Netherlands in their World Cup warm-up on June 4.

Hadj Moussa, who plays for Dutch club Feyenoord, cut in off the right wing and struck a powerful shot into the far corner four minutes from time to hand the North Africans a morale-boosting win at De Kuip, where he plays his club football.

It was as much as Algeria deserved after a strong second-half performance, roared on by a large number of noisy travelling fans.

Hadj Moussa’s effort was his first international goal and spoilt the home team’s send-off before they depart for New York on June 4.

"This is not what you want in your farewell match," Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk told Dutch NOS television.

"If you look at the game, we should have been at least 2–0 up. Hopefully, our sharpness will return quickly and we'll finish our chances properly from now on. It's positive that most of the players got some playing time, but of course we don't play to lose," he said.

Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane, sporting a mask after facial injuries suffered in April, made several good stops throughout the game to alleviate concerns over the keeper’s position in the side, which has been the subject of speculation in recent months.

The Dutch will play Uzbekistan in a friendly in New York on June 1 before moving on to their base in Kansas City. Their opening Group F game is against Japan in Dallas on June 14.

Algeria face World Cup holders Argentina in their opening game in Group J in Kansas City on June 16. Algeria take on Bolivia in Kansas City June 10 in their last warm-up game. REUTERS