Algeria's Yacine Brahimi, front left, celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal against South Korea in their second Group H game on June 22, 2014. Martin Meissner / AP
Algeria's Yacine Brahimi, front left, celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal against South Korea in their second Group H game on June 22, 2014. Martin Meissner / AP

Algeria v Russia preview: For Algeria, ‘New chapter in the history of our country’



Algeria can make history by qualifying for the second round of the World Cup for the first time in four appearances at the tournament when they face Russia in Curitiba on Thursday.
The Desert Foxes will be assured of their place in the last -6 with a win, but should also progress with a draw so long as South Korea don't beat the already qualified Belgium by at least three goals in the other match in Group H.
Algeria ended a 32-year wait for a World Cup win in emphatic style with a 4-2 demolition of the Koreans on Sunday, becoming the first African side to ever score four goals in a World Cup game in the process.
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Granada midfielder Yacine Brahimi was among those on the scoresheet in Porto Alegre and he is eyeing more glory against a Russian side that has failed to live up to expectations so far.
"It is one of the most important matches of my career, it is a match which can write a new chapter in the history of our country, and that is very much in our heads," he said on Tuesday.
With just a point needed, Bosnian coach Vahid Halilhodzic is likely to tinker with the side that starred against South Korea with Mehdi Lacen and Riyad Mahrez replacing Abdelmoumene Djabou and Carl Medjani.
And captain Madjid Bougherra has urged his side to keep their feet on the ground after the euphoria of finally ending the wait for a World Cup win.
"I'm very proud to be the captain of an Algerian team that has won a World Cup match for the first time in 32 years," said the former Rangers defender.
"It's a great honour for me to make Algerian footballing history as part of this very close-knit squad who put in an exceptional performance.
"The most important thing is for us to play our own game and also play to our strengths. We have made our fans happy with this win and we now have a chance to make it through to the round of 16, but we need to forget about the victory over Korea first and get our feet back on the ground."
For Fabio Capello's Russia the match represents a final chance to rectify two disappointing results as they were held 1-1 by South Korea before being beaten 1-0 by Divock Origi's winner for Belgium two minutes from time on Sunday.
A lot more had been expected of Capello's men after an impressive record in qualifying, which saw them top their group ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.
However, defender Aleksei Kozlov is hoping to wipe away the pain of Belgium's late winner by bouncing back against Algeria and securing their passage into the next round.
"It's very difficult to draw any positives when you lose like that," Kozlov told FIFA.com.
"We're all disappointed about what happened late on, but we've still got a chance of continuing in the tournament. While that's the case, we can't start thinking about anything else."
Capello is also expected to make a few changes with CSKA Moscow's Alan Dzagoev and Zenit St Petersburg's Aleksandr Kerzhakov likely to come into the side that started against Belgium.
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No more lice

Defining head lice

Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.

Identifying lice

Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.

Treating lice at home

Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.

Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital

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