EURO 2012
Polandia - Ukraina
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Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Jermain Defoe scored a single, England Escaped
2:36 PM
The only serious flaw in England's display was their failure to finish off Slovenia after dominating proceedings.
That led to a needlessly anxious final phase in a game England should have won comfortably.
The delighted reaction of Capello's players, who gathered in a celebratory huddle at the final whistle told the story - in sharp contrast to the reaction of the Slovenians, who were in despair as news filtered through of Landon Donovan's late winner for the United States against Algeria.
England's only mission was to secure the win. Now Capello and his players will hope they can make their mark in South Africa after a faltering start to their campaign.
They needed to make amends for the lifeless performance against Algeria that left them fighting to survive the group phase, and after a nervous opening Capello's changes took effect.
Defoe's goal-poaching instincts are in sharp contrast to the honest-but-blunt efforts of Emile Heskey, who he replaced in the starting line-up, and the value of such a marksman was illustrated as the Tottenham striker gave England the lead after 22 minutes.
He reacted sharply to James Milner's cross from close range, and even though Handanovic got hands on the ball, the effort carried too much power.
England, buoyed by the confidence the goal had given them, went in search of the crucial second and almost got it in a period of intense pressure that followed Defoe's strike.
Frank Lampard could not turn a loose ball in after Handanovic failed to hold Milner's cross, but the keeper then did well to deny Defoe and England captain Gerrard in quick succession.
Slovenia had given glimpses of the talent that had taken them to the top of the group after two games with Valter Birsa testing David James, but England had assumed control after the opening exchanges.
Defoe should have doubled England's advantage moments after the break, but he shot wide from only eight yards after Gareth Barry returned Handanovic's punch into the box.
England were completely on top, and only a moment of over-elaboration between Rooney and Gerrard cost them an opening they had created superbly.
The only concern about England's display was the failure to reflect their supremacy in the scoreline, with Handanovic blocking Terry's header from a Barry corner and then getting fingertips to Rooney's effort to divert it on to the woodwork from Lampard's incisive pass.
And this was giving Slovenia encouragement in a game they should have been out of, as was shown when Terry and Glen Johnson blocked from Milijove Novakovic before Birsa shot wide.
It was the signal for Capello to make a change, removing Rooney - who had been limping slightly - for Joe Cole.
And as Slovenia pushed in the closing stages, James was well protected as they closed out a victory that eased the pressure on Capello and his players.
Now their attention will turn to the clash against old adversaries Germany, who beat Ghana to finish top of Group D.
Slovenia
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0-1 |
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FT |
| (HT 0-1) | Defoe, 22 | ||
Team |
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Slovenia
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England
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England
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Michael Bradley made a dramatic rescue
12:02 AM
Michael Bradley struck a dramatic late equaliser as the United States came from two goals down to draw with Slovenia in a pulsating Group C encounter in Johannesburg.
But USA coach Bob Bradley made a double change at the interval and the move paid immediate dividends, Landon Donavon racing clear on the right and firing high into the roof of the net.
Slovenia were now firmly on the back foot and the US pressure finally told as Michael Bradley, the son of Bob, poked past Samir Handanovic on 82 minutes.
The Americans thought they had won it through substitute Maurice Edu's volley but the strike was harshly ruled out by referee Koman Coulibaly for an alleged pull and the US players were furious.It was a result that leaves the group wide open ahead of England's meeting with Algeria later on Friday and the final round of matches at 1500 BST on Wednesday.
The US, who are on two points, take on Algeria in Pretoria and surprise-package Slovenia, on four points, play England in Port Elizabeth.
And both sides will go into their respective games with confidence following this thriller at Soccer City.
Fresh from beating Algeria in their opening game last Sunday, Slovenia arrived knowing a win would seal their passage to the knockout rounds - a remarkable prospect for a nation of just two million people, appearing in only its second World Cup.
But any suggestion they might be unnerved by the history that beckoned was swiftly banished as Matjaz Kek's side got off to a confident and composed start.
Well organised and hard-working, Slovenia were comfortable in possession and looked to pass and move with a minimum of touches at every opportunity.
There was a clear chemistry between their midfield and attack - Robert Koren, Birsa, Ljubijankic and Milivoje Novakovic linking beautifully - and, at times, the US were left to chase shadows.
Birsa, in particular, was troubling the US defence and the talented Auxerre winger signalled his intent with an early run and cross from the right that Novakovic narrowly failed to connect with.
Bob Bradley's men carried a fair threat of their own, but for all the impressive build-up play between Michael Bradley, Robbie Findley, Donovan, Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore, they desperately lacked a cutting edge.
The same could not be said of Slovenia, however, and they deservedly went ahead when Birsa collected possession 25 yards out and unleashed a delightful curler that Tim Howard could only watch sail into his left-hand corner.
It was one of the most eye-catching strikes of the tournament to date and appeared to fill the Slovenians with even more belief, but one of the great strengths of this US side is their never-say-die attitude and they launched a stirring response.
Jose Torres saw a stinging free-kick clawed to safety by Handanovic before Jay DeMerit looped a header wide and a Dempsey cross was poked behind by the faultless Miso Brecko with Donovan waiting to tap in.
It seemed certain the US would score from that last chance and they still appeared to be ruing their failure to do so when Slovenia launched a counter-attack and doubled their lead.
Novakovic picked up possession in plenty of space and fed Ljubijankic, who escaped the non-existent attentions of DeMerit and slotted low into Howard's bottom corner.
Bradley responded with his double switch, replacing Torres and Findley with Edu and Benny Feilhaber, and the large sections of American fans inside the ground roared their players back on to the field.
Within minutes they had pulled one back - Bostjan Cesar inexplicably missed a long ball over the top and Donovan surged into the box before slamming home - and Slovenia were on the ropes.
The US were committing increasing numbers to each attack and after Altidore lashed straight at Handanovic, the keeper again had to be alert to clasp a curling Michael Bradley drive.
With Slovenia keen to extend their advantage, the match was ebbing and flowing like few others preceding it in the tournament and the stadium was rocking with atmosphere.
In a final throw of the dice, Bob Bradley brought on a striker, Herculez Gomez, for defender, Oguchi Onyewu, and again it paid off as Michael Bradley burst from midfield and fired past Handanovic after an excellent knockdown by Altidore.
There was still time for drama - Edu's volley from Donavona's free-kick was disallowed, Novakovic went close with a header and Alexsander Radoslavljevic had a thunderous strike parried by Howard - but neither side could force a winner.
Slovenia |
2-2 |
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FT |
| Birsa, 13 Ljubijankic, 42 | (HT 2-0) | Donovan, 48 Bradley, 82 | |
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Team |
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Slovenia
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USA
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USASunday, June 13, 2010
Robert Koren is a hero to Slovenia
10:02 PM
Robert Koren's late goal gave Slovenia victory over 10-man Algeria in their opening World Cup game in Polokwane to send them top of Group C.
The former West Brom midfielder's dipping 20-yard drive slipped through the grasp of Algeria keeper Faouzi Chaouchi and into the corner of the net to give the European side their first ever World Cup finals win.
With group favourites England having drawn 1-1 with their perceived closest rivals USA yesterday, Algeria and Slovenia knew a victory here would send them top and raise their hopes of achieving an unexpected place in the last 16.
At their best Algeria are a capable outfit, as arch-rivals and qualifying play-off victims Egypt will testify, and the Desert Foxes looked arguably the sharper, aiming to exploit the pace and ability of Karim Ziani and Nader Belhadj.
It was not until the 36th minute that either side fashioned anything further of meaning.
Slovenia's only previous World Cup appearance came in Japan and South Korea in 2002, during which they failed to claim a single point and scored only twice.
Algerian substitute Ghezzal's presence on the pitch was short but eventful. In 15 minutes he produced two headers which failed to find the target and picked up two bookings - the first for shirt pulling, the second a needless handball when trying to provide another header on goal - which resulted in his side playing the final 15 minutes of the match with 10 men.
Slovenia's next attack proved decisive as Chaouchi badly misjudged the flight of Koren's speculative, dipping effort and allowed it to pass him and find the corner of the net.
Algeria
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0-1 |
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FT |
| (HT 0-0) | Koren, 79 | ||
Team |
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Algeria
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Slovenia
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Substitutes:
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Substitutes:
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)Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Slovenia
1:03 PM
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The Slovenia national football team is the national football team of Slovenia and is controlled by the Football Association of Slovenia. They played their first match in 1992 after the split of Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1991. Before that, Slovenian players played for the Yugoslavia national football team. Slovenia were surprise qualifiers for UEFA Euro 2000, when they beat Ukraine in a playoff. They turned some heads during the tournament, drawing with Yugoslavia and Norway, and only losing to Spain 2–1. Slovenia achieved another major success two years later, qualifying for the 2002 World Cup, this time defeating Romania in a playoff. They did not lose a match in their whole qualifying campaign, recording six wins and six draws. However, they did not do as well in the finals, as they went home pointless. Despite failing to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, they were the only team to beat Italy on their way to winning the tournament with a shock 1–0 victory on home turf. It wasn't the only time they avoided defeat against the team – in 1995 they held them to 1–1 draw in the qualifying campaign for UEFA Euro 1996, and also took the lead. In November 2009, Slovenia defeated Russia in a playoff to clinch a berth in the 2010 FIFA World Cup..... | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
Slovenia qualified after defeating Russia on away goals following a 2-2 aggregate tie. UEFA Euro 2012 qualification
Schedule and resultsRecent and upcoming gamesCurrent squadThe following 23 players were named as part of the squad for the World Cup in South Africa.
Recent call-upsThe following players have also been called up to the Slovenia squad in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Competition historyWorld Cup record
European Championship record
StatisticsMost appearances
Top goalscorers
Managers
Home venues record
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