The Desert Foxes' coach Halilhodzic has talked about his disappointment after his side's 2014 World Cup qualifier loss against Mali last Sunday.

"It was expected that this game was going to be hard. Weather conditions were difficult for both teams. Malians were more present, and that's what made the difference in the end," Halilhodzic said in the post-game press conference.

"Free kicks were crucial for Mali as they scored both their goals from them. We had some clear chances, especially in the first half. If we had scored then, we could have sealed the game at the end of the first 45 minutes," the 59-year-old coach added.

"They won this important clash, but there are still four matches to go. We have to pick ourselves up because nothing is decided yet, and I believe that the struggle for first place will continue until the last round of the qualifying session," the Algeria coach also stated.

"It is true that this loss hurts us because we were really optimistic before the game, but our naivety on free kicks was crucial. Our team still lacks a little experience."

"The only thing I have left to do is congratulate the Malian team for their victory," the Bosnian tactician concluded.

At the end of the second qualifying round of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Algeria and Mali share the second place in Group H with three points each.

Benin is on top of the group with four points while Rwanda closes the march with just one point gained from their draw with the Squirrels last Sunday.

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