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Algerian tensions break out after World Cup exit

By WTOP Staff

CHRIS BRUMMITT
Associated Press

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil (AP) — Wiping tears from his eyes, Algerian coach Vahid Halilhodzic embraced each of his exhausted players as they walked off the pitch after pushing Germany to the very end of extra time.

But any pride in playing in the World Cup knockout stage for the first time was soon overshadowed by questions over Halilhodzic’s future amid a reported spat with the national football association.

The Algerians lost 2-1 after extra time Monday, after making the three-time World Cup champions struggle for much of the match.

Halilhodzic and his squad were wildly applauded by Algerian fans inside the stadium, and his players spoke highly of him after the match.

But the Bosnian-French manager refused to attend a post-match news conference, contravening tournament regulations, and then declined to answer questions as he left for the team bus.

An Algerian Football Association official, Karder Berdja, didn’t offer anything except for an off-the-cuff remark regarding the coach’s no-show.

Halilhodzic has had a difficult relationship with sections of the Algerian media and his own football federation since taking over the squad in 2011. This was on display in Brazil, where he often railed at criticism about his tactics or which players he left on the bench.

“He took charge of the team, he gave us direction, all players want to thank him,” Algeria captain Madjid Bouguerra said. “We all kissed him at the end of the match. If he leaves, he needs to be rewarded.”

The coach’s most recent dispute with the domestic media related to players fasting for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Observant Muslims are supposed to avoid food and drink from sunrise and to sunset, presenting a challenge for athletes wishing to be at the peak of their performance.

Halilhodzic said it was a matter for individual players, although the question remained a sensitive one to the end.

“It is personal question,” goalkeeper Rais M’Bolhi said. “It’s between us and God. I don’t have to answer you. I don’t think I should answer you.”

The team arrived in Brazil having never got further than the group stages, and not having scored a goal in the World Cup since 1982.

But it’s mostly young squad, many of them born in France, was impressive in its opening defeat against Belgium and then outplayed South Korea 4-2 with some clinical, counterattacking football. A gritty 1-1 draw with Russia set up the knockout match against Germany.

With the sun setting over this southern Brazilian city just after kickoff, any players who were fasting showed no adverse signs in the first half. After an edgy start, the team dominated the Germans for much of it, with striker Islam Slimani and midfielder Sofiane Feghouli causing trouble for the defense with long balls and fast counterattacking strikes.

Germany took the lead early in the first half of extra-time and then slowly ground down the Algerians down, taking a late 2-0 lead. But Algeria, the last African team left in contention, saved its best to last: Yacine Brahimi volleying in a cross from Feghouli to setup a frantic final minute.

“We got tired in the second half,” Bouguerra said. “It’s perfectly normal for a team like ours, it’s the end of the season, when you’re playing against top-notch players. But this team is growing up. This proves we can do great things.”

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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