EURO 2012
Polandia - Ukraina
Polandia
Yunani
Rusia
Republik Ceko
Belanda
Denmark
Jerman
Portugal
Spanyol
Italia
Republik Irlandia
Kroasia
Ukraina
Swedia
Prancis
Inggris
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Landon Donovan scored dramatic, USA Escaped
2:48 PM
Until that moment it had been a story of inspired saves from M'bolhi, poor American finishing and a lineman's error, which denied Clint Dempsey a goal in the first half.
The Algerians, who would have been going out even with a draw, had captain Anther Yahia sent off after receiving a second yellow card in the dying moments.
The first meeting between the teams came alive after five minutes when an Algerian long ball was totally missed by Jay DeMerit on its way through to Rafik Djebbour, who chested it down before volleying against the bar.
Moments later, at the other end, a long-range strike from US striker Hercules Gomez was pushed aside by M'bolhi.
Watched by former US president Bill Clinton, the Americans became more dominant as the half wore on and should have taken the lead after 20 minutes when Dempsey's effort was harshly ruled out for offside.
First Donovan's shot was brilliantly saved by M'bolhi but when the ball rebounded to the attacker, he quickly squared it to Dempsey, who turned it into the net, only to see his celebrations thwarted by the linesman's flag.
Dempsey went close again before Jozy Altidore missed the clearest opening of the half, blazing wastefully over the bar from five yards.
Algeria, who qualified for the finals via a play-off victory over Egypt, showed plenty of promise in their build-up play, only for most of their attacks to fizzle out on the edge of the penalty area.
The second half began in a similar manner with the Americans on the front foot and once again it was Dempsey who could have broken the deadlock.
Fed by Altidore, his first effort crashed back off the post, and his second was slashed wildly wide with left foot.
Knowing that a victory would send them through, US coach Bob Bradley threw on attackers Edson Buddle and Benny Feilhaber, whose low shot was saved by the legs of M'bolhi.
With the Americans committed to attack, Algeria began to threaten on the break and Karim Ziani flashed a low shot wide when well-placed inside the box.
But just as the Americans appeared to be running out of steam, the winning goal finally arrived.
Altidore raced clear down the right and crossed for Dempsey, whose point-blank effort was parried by the goalkeeper. The loose ball rolled into the path of Donovan, who made no mistake from six yards to send the American players and fans into raptures.
USA
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1-0 |
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FT |
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Team |
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USA
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Algeria
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Algeria
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Saturday, June 19, 2010
Don Fabio had to think hard, so that can england qualify from group C
6:02 PM
England's World Cup hopes hang in the balance as they were held to a disappointing draw by Algeria after a wretched display in Cape Town.
Fabio Capello's side now need to beat Slovenia on Wednesday to ensure qualification to the knockout stages.
England felt the full force of the fury of the thousands of fans who flooded Cape Town in the vain hope of seeing a performance that improved on their first draw against the United States in Rustenburg.
Instead, they were rewarded with a performance that was the worst of Capello's reign, with Algeria fully deserving the point they celebrated with such elation at the final whistle.
England looked jaded and lacking inspiration, with Algeria goalkeeper Rais M'Bolhi barely troubled apart from one sharp first-half save from Frank Lampard.
And another major worry for Capello was the desperately poor showing from the player who carries so much of England's World Cup hopes, Wayne Rooney. The Manchester United star has rarely looked so out of sorts for club or country, even struggling to keep the ball under control and wasting possession on a consistent basis.
Rooney also appeared to be struggling with a knock in the closing stages, inflicting more anxiety on Capello as he endured a nightmare on his 64th birthday.
The 24-year-old Rooney was also captured on camera responding angrily to the reaction of the England supporters as he left the field, saying "Nice to see your own fans booing you."
But Rooney could hardly have expected them to deliver resounding applause after being subjected to such torture from their team for 90 minutes.
England will be grateful to at least still have the opportunity to progress into the knockout stage, but after the thrilling meeting between Slovenia and the United States illuminated Group C only hours earlier, Capello's players succeeded only in throwing a wet blanket over this encounter.
If they do not improve against Slovenia, and there is ample room on this grim evidence, then England will be making a premature departure from the World Cup.
And as if life was not difficult enough Capello will also be forced into yet another change at the back with centre-back Jamie Carragher - in the side after injuries ruled out Rio Ferdinand and Ledley King - picking up a booking which will keep him out of Wednesday's crucial game.
As expected, Capello recalled David James in goal and dropped Robert Green, excluded after his error against the United States in England's opening game and a nervous performance in training on the eve of this meeting with Algeria.
The return of Gareth Barry was designed to give England shape and a midfield foundation - but the first half ranked with the worst served up during Capello's tenure.
Algeria, for long periods, were more comfortable in possession than England, who looked heavy-legged and lacking any spark or inspiration.
It took 29 minutes for England to test Algeria keeper Bolhi, when he fell low to clutch Steven Gerrard's shot, and he was to distinguish himself further three minutes later when he denied Frank Lampard from close range.
Capello was reduced to a frustrated, gesticulating figure in his technical area and his businesslike march to the dressing room at the interval was surely a signal that some brutal truths were about to aimed in the direction of his players.
England's efforts after the break showed no marked improvement, and Capello waited until just after the hour before he could no longer resist the temptation to make a change, sending on Shaun Wright-Phillips for the disappointing Aaron Lennon.
And with 16 minutes left and England lacking ideas, Capello removed Emile Heskey - by no means England's worst performer in this dismal show - and giving Jermain Defoe the opportunity to make an impact.
It was to no avail, and the angry reaction of England's fans at the final whistle delivered the telling verdict on this shambolic showing.
England |
0-0 |
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England
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Algeria
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