Algeria
Algeria's football team Reuters

The Germany vs Algeria match was alluring not just because of the extra time goals that earned Germany a 2-1 victory but also because of the fierce attack by the Algerian players in spite of their Ramadan fasting.

Soon after the match several questions were raised pertaining to the Algerian players' fast and if it had eclipsed their chances of advancing to the last eight of the 2014 World Cup.

However, Algeria's goalkeeper Rais M'Bolhi maintained that fasting had nothing to do with the 2-1 extra time defeat to Germany.

"No, I don't think (it was a factor), we were ready to play for as long as we need to, nobody believed we were able to put in a performance like that," M'Bolhi told the press.

"It didn't come down to physicality, everyone was fit and ready to play, we just conceded two late goals. This is a personal question, it's between us and God, I don't think I have to answer you, Ramadan is a personal thing."

The goalkeeper added that their team had created history for their country as no other Algerian team had advanced so far in a World Cup tournament.

"We're part of Algerian football history, no other team went so far before and we showed we can play on an equal footing at the highest level. We really want to build on this and push on."

The holy month of Ramadan, which began on June 29, restricts Muslims from consuming food and drink from dawn to dusk.

Though there are exemptions for ill-health, old age or physically demanding jobs, most Muslims abstain from eating and drinking during daylight hours.

The Islamic religious authorities, however, have made certain provisions for those who cannot fast during the holy month.

During the London Olympics, the United Arab Emirates had allowed its football team to skip fasting so that they could perform better.

In the current World Cup, the Algerian team saw a majority of its Muslim players opting to fast, although many Muslim footballers from various teams in the knockout group are not fasting.

Meanwhile, Twitter users came out in support of the Algerian team who displayed an immense sporting spirit even while fasting.