Fans gather at Rock Chalk Park to try to catch Algeria men’s soccer team practice
Anticipation for the World Cup was on full display in Lawrence on Monday evening.
The Algeria National Soccer Team had its first official practice at Rock Chalk Park on Monday. The national team arrived shortly after midnight Sunday night/Monday morning to a warm welcome by fans of the squad.
Some of those same fans were present Monday evening, watching the national team through gaps in the outer fence around Rock Chalk Park or holding their phones above the fence to take pictures and video.
Their attempts to see the practice were short-lived: After about 10 minutes, fans and media alike were instructed to move away from the fence or face trespassing charges.
“Unfortunately, we can’t see it, but hopefully we can see them as they walk out,” Algerian fan Bilal Dahmni told The Star. “Maybe snap a picture or something.”
That same fan said he’s lived in Kansas City for the last 10 years and plans to see at least one World Cup game that Algeria is in. He told The Star that he found out about the Algerian team’s practice through Facebook and drove 20 minutes to see them.
“It was great. I loved it. I can’t wait to see the games,” he said when asked about Algeria being in Lawrence. “I am excited for it.”
As for his expectations for the squad?
“I think they are going to do good. They’ve got really young players. They’re good,” he said. “I think they are going to do good this year.”
Algeria will play in Kansas City’s first match of the tournament against defending World Cup champions Argentina on June 16. Their next game will be against Jordan on June 22 in California, and then Algeria will return to Kansas City to play Austria on June 27.
