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Austria's Rangnick shuts down conspiracy talk ahead of Algeria World Cup clash / Photo: © AFP
Austria's Rangnick shuts down conspiracy talk ahead of Algeria World Cup clash
Austria coach Ralf Rangnick insisted his team will try to beat Algeria, brushing aside any comparisons with the "Disgrace of Gijon" at the 1982 World Cup.
When the game kicks off in Kansas City late on Saturday -- one of the final two group fixtures -- both teams will know exactly what they need to do to qualify for the last 32.
Bizarrely, it could mean losing is the better option as the side that finishes third in Group J would likely avoid European champions Spain, who are projected to top Group H.
Austria, in second place, and Algeria both have three points, behind leaders and defending champions Argentina.
Rangnick gave a blunt response when asked at his pre-match press conference on Friday whether Austria were planning not to win.
"No, definitely not," he said.
The German said it was impossible to speculate, with so many games still to be played before Austria and Algeria kick off at the Arrowhead Stadium.
"None of us, even one day ahead, know what the situation will be," he said. "Once it starts we will know but it will not influence our match."
The "Disgrace of Gijon" is a name given to Austria's 1-0 defeat to West Germany at the 1982 World Cup after the teams played out a result that took both through at the expense of Algeria on goal difference.
Rangnick said he was fully aware of the match in Spain 44 years ago but stressed that it had no relevance.
"When that match took place, none of the players in my team was alive and I was 24 years old," he said.
"It shows you how long ago it was and it has absolutely nothing to do with the match tomorrow and with the result of tomorrow's match."
Midfielder Konrad Laimer was similarly dismissive about the speculation, saying he did not care about the noise around the match in America's Midwest.
"In the end we want to focus on us, we want to win the game, we want to come through the group stage, and then it doesn't matter for me who we face," said the Bayern Munich player.
Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic also refused to be drawn on the issue at his own press conference.
"If and what happens if, that's an expression that doesn't exist," he said. "We will have to play and then we'll see what happens after the match.
"But we have to do our best in order to promote our ambitions and try to win the match. Absolutely."
B.Ramirez--SFF
