2014 FIFA World Cup: Algerian Coach Vahid Halilhodzic disposes questions on Ramadan

Vahid Halilhodzic attends a press conference on the eve of their Round of 16 match against Germany

Algerian Coach Vahid Halilhodzic didn’t look happy when inquired about which players in his team would observe Ramadan.

Ramadan is a 30 day affair where a devout Muslim has to fast from dawn to dusk, although elders. sick, travellers, people who are on a war including sportsmen are exempted from observing the fast.

But Halilhodzic looked offended when asked about who in his team would observe Ramadan.

The Bosnian-born Manager asked the reporters to throw questions at him only related to Football and anything else asked other than that would be deemed unethical.

“This is a private matter and when you ask this you lack respect and ethics," said Halilhodzic.

"The players will do as they wish and I would like to stop this controversy."

“It's not the first time I have had Muslim players in my team. I myself am a Muslim. I've always let them be free, this is a private question and when you asked this you lack respect," the Algerian coach said.

"The players will do as they wish. This is private. You should talk about football and nothing else. Stop asking me about Ramadan otherwise I'll get up and leave,"added Halilhodzic.

While Algeria captain Madjid Bougherra has made it clear that he will observe Ramadan, several other Muslim players such as German midfielder Mesut Ozil and French Defender Bacary Sagna have refused to observe fast for Ramadan.

Halilhodzic meanwhile made it clear that his team was focussed on their game against Germany and will give their 100% on the field when they face the three-time world champions.

"Tomorrow is a very serious opponent. They are a very good candidate to be champions again. We have to control the ball. You know their mentality, their fitness. For us it's going to be very challenging”.

"Germany is the favourite obviously, but the Algerian team is able to surprise you. We are confident, we have to been improving in every match. Tomorrow we will have to be exceptional. Tomorrow we have nothing to lose. We are ambitious,"added the Manager.

Algeria has surprised everybody with their style of play which is more attacking in nature. The proof of their style of play was shown in their match against South Korea where the Africans went onto win 4-2 and became the first African team to win by such a huge margin.