USA 2 Slovenia 2

Friday, 18/06/2010

REPORT: Lee Price

England’s ‘disastrous’ start doesn’t look so bad now, needing just four points from the remaining two games to seal qualification from Group C after Slovenia held America in a pulsating tie.

Group C is wide open once again, with various permutations for each side’s progress, but this result has catapulted England into favourites for top spot once again.

The equation is simple for Fabio Capelllo’s men: win your last two and you win the group.

Victory for USA against Algeria next week will seal their progression too.

Slovenia opened up a two-goal lead, but America fought back admirably to claim a draw and were denied a late win by the referee.

The first goal came out of the blue. Slovenia were playing the ball around idly, but danger was just around the corner – as Vater Birsa was found in space. The Auxerre midfielder collected the ball neatly, turned and a hit a sweet left-footed shot beyond the reach of Tim Howard from 25-yards.

With America threatening an equaliser, Slovenia struck on the counter attack –an inch-perfect through ball from Milivoje Novakovic  finding Zlatan Ljubijankic, who dispatched coolly.

With a comfortable lead heading into the second half, Slovenia looked to sit back and defend their lead but allowed the Americans a path back into the game immediately after the break.

Poor defending allowed Landon Donovan a clear run on goal, where he fired venomously past the Slovenia keeper into the roof of the net, who seemed to shield himself from the shot rather than attempting to save it!

The US pushed forward, buoyed by scoring so soon after half time, and finally grabbed an equaliser with less than ten minutes remaining through Michael Bradley.

A long punt up field was headed down by Jozy Altidore and Bradley volleyed superbly over the keeper, an excellently controlled finish.

Maurice Edu volleyed home thunderously from a free kick, appearing to have snatched a late victory for USA – but the referee had already blown for pushing in the box, which looked harsh on the replay.

Goals:

Birsa (13)

Slo (42)

Donovan (48)

Bradley (83)

Man of the Match: Landon Donovan – a real star turn.

For reports of previous matches at the tournament please go to the International section.

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