Mali 0Algeria 1 (Halliche 43)The Eagles were unable to build on their opening game heroics as they succumbed to a 43rd minute Rafik Halliche strike against Algeria in Cidadela on Thursday.The match was viewed as an opportunity for Mali to send the World Cup qualifiers home after their horrific first game defeat to Malawi.However, it was the Desert Foxes who hit back at their critics, leaving all four teams with a chance of qualification in the groups final set of fixtures this Monday.Algeria celebrate Hallinches winnerBefore the game Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, sprung a ma sive surprise, when he opted to leave out star player, Frederic Kanoute waiting till midway through the second Travis Shaw Jersey half before allowing the striker to see any action.It was Mali who started the match better though, and Mustapha Yatabares second-minute free-kick caused uncertainty in the Algerian defence. Unfortunately, Mahamadou Diarra was unable to find a team-mate with his pull-back after beating Algeria keeper Faouzi Chaouchi to the loose ball.The Desert Foxes hit back when Karim Zianis swerving, dipping cro s almost caught out Luke Maile Jersey Soumaila Diakite in the Mali goal as it struck the top of the cro sbar.Yatabare was proving a real handful for the Algerian defense and moments later he hit a powerful shot that flew just past the upright.Even with the early chances though, neither team was able to get a foot hold on the game. Poor pa sing and scrappy play in midfield meant it was difficult for anyone to find a rhythm and most oppurtunities were occurring from set plays.Matmour jumps over Si sokoAddelkader Ghezzal headed just wide for the Desert Foxes after an excellent run and cro s by Ha san Yedba, while Chaouchi in the Algerian goal continued to flap at anything that went near his six yard box.However, flapping was a common theme at both ends and in the 43rd minute it led to the opening goal.Mali defender, Bakary Soumare, was booked for a clattering challenge on Yacine Bezzaz a caution that will see him mi s the final group game.From the resultant Justin Smoak Jersey free kick, Karim Zianis inswinging cro s was completely misjudged by Diakite, enabling Halliche to sneak in between three defenders and head Algeria into the lead.The timing of the goal couldnt have been better and with their tails up Ziani put another testing cro s in just before the break that Mali only nervoulsy cleared, leaving Keshi with much talking to do at half-time.The Eagles began the second half with more urgency about their play and Seydou Keita forced a fingertip save from Chaouchi from a tight angle, although he really should have pulled the ball back to one of his three team-mates in the box.Malis big stars Keita, Mohamed Si soko and Diarra were struggling to make any impre sion on the game as Algeria were outnumbering them in midfield and Madjid Bougherra having an excellent game at the back.Yebdas attempted long range effort for the Algerians then forced Diakite to scramble acro s his goal as the ball eventually Alen Hanson Jersey ran wide.Keita taken outKanoute entered the fray in the 66th minute, but he was unable to stamp his authority on the game.Algeria were happy to sit back and soak up pre sure as the Eagles search for another late equaliser ended in vain.Afterwards a disapointed Keshi said, The Algerians deserved their win. Right now were bottom Marco Estrada Jersey of the table. Well go away and prepare for our final group game against Malawi.Indeed Mali are bottom of the group and only a win over the Bandas will give them any hope of qualification. However, even that may not be enough.Mali: Diakite, Soumare, Tamboura, Abdallaye Maiga, Berthe, Mohamed Si soko (Fane 66), Diarra, Keita, Ndiaye (Kanoute 61), Yatabare (Diallo 59), Modibo Maiga.Algeria: Chaouchi, Laifaoui, Belhadj, Bougherra, Halliche, Bezzaz (Bouazza 70), Mansouri, Yebda, Ziani, Matmour (Ziaya 90), Ghezzal (Saifi 80).Ref: Muhmed Ssegonga (Zimbabwe).