Group H is one that is passing under the radar as it does not contain any of the major contenders. Belgium and Russia are seen as favorites, but the group also contains South Korea and Algeria. The latter side has a huge task on its hands as it is undoubtedly the least favored side in the tournament. Can the Algerians surprise the world and make a run at the knockout rounds?

History

Algeria has competed in only three World Cups to date and the 2014 edition in Brazil will be its fourth. The team has never gotten past the first round despite managing two wins in 1982 and one draw in 1986. In 2010, the team qualified and was placed into a rather "easy" group that included England, Slovenia and the United States.

After losing 1-0 against Slovenia in the opening game, Algeria shut out England 0-0 in the follow-up. The team seemed slated for another draw in the final game against the United States and shut out the Americans for almost the entire 90 minutes. However, in the waning moments the Americans' iconic star Landon Donovan managed his big historic moment by scoring the goal that not only put the United States into the knockout round, but also made them the group winners.

Algeria has not won a game in the tournament since 1982 and will need a big performance this summer to redeem the one from four years ago.

How did they get here?

Algeria was seeded into a group that included Mali, Benin and Rwanda. The team won five of its six games and scored 13 goals while conceding only four. The lone defeat in the group round came in Mali.

In the ensuing game, Algeria was forced into a playoff with Burkina Faso. Algeria's opponents were looking to compete in their first ever World Cup and managed a big 3-2 win at home in the opening round. That game was tied 2-2 until the final minutes of the game when a penalty gave Burkina Faso the 3-2 lead. However, Algeria's two away goals proved crucial as the team only needed a 1-0 win to eliminate Burkina Faso and clinch a spot in the World Cup. They did just that.

Top Stars

Captain Madjid Bougherra has made 61 appearances for Algeria from defense and will playing in what is likely his final World Cup. The team's main force offensively is expected to be Valencia's Sofiane Feghouli. He has played in only 17 matches for Algeria and already has five goals.

Algeria is not an offensive juggernaut, but the team does have speed on the flanks. Defense is not a weakness for this side, as shown four years ago when it conceded only two goals. In qualifying, the side only allowed four goals throughout the six games in the group stage. However, the defense is susceptible to more aggressive offenses, such as the one Belgium employs.

Can they get out of the group stage?

Algeria has played Belgium twice in its history and managed to draw one and lose one. Algeria has contested four games with Korea and holds a record of one win and three losses. However, the team has never played against Russia.

As noted above, Algeria is the "minnow" of the group and is not expected to progress from the group stage. Scoring a goal, a feat not achieved four years ago, is essential if this team hopes to make any sort of run. In fact, the team has not scored a World Cup goal in its last five games. Back in 1986, Algeria scored a goal against Northern Ireland in its first match of the group round, but then got shutout by Brazil and Spain in subsequent matches.

Can they win it all?

A goal and a win would be considered successful for the team. However, expecting anymore from Algeria would be unrealistic. Despite having no major heavyweights in the group, it is unlikely that this team manages to defeat Russia, Belgium or Korea. Draws are more likely, but they will not be enough to get this group out of the first round. Expect a third place finish at best in Group H.