Filed under: United States, World Cup | Tags: benny feilhaber, carlos bocanegra, clint dempsey, demarcus beasley, edson buddle, england, fabio capello, group c, herculez gomez, james milner, jay demerit, jermain defoe, karim ziani, landon donovan, maurice edu, michael bradley, nadir belhadj, rafik djebbour, rais m'bohli, slovenia, steven gerrard, tim howard, United States, world cup
England and the United States booked their tickets to the knockout round, and the latter did so in the most dramatic of circumstances.
The Tottenham man wheels away after netting the eventual winner.
England took the lead through Jermain Defoe who was playing in his first start at the World Cup for the Three Lions in the 22nd minute after James Milner whipped in a delicious cross that Defoe tucked away nicely. England held on for the remainder of the game, as did Slovenia, who were content to let the 3 points go as it looked set that they would advance in the runners up spot. However, the American Dream was realized with some late drama at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
The United States needed a win against Algeria, and it looked as if all their chances would go begging until, in the 92nd minute the talismanic Landon Donovan popped up to tuck in a rebound to seal all three points and a top spot in the next round.
The Yanks looked set to go behind early again after Rafik Djebbour got through 1-on-1 with Tim Howard only to see his superb volley crash off the crossbar. Rattled, the USA finally found their composure and eased their way into the game after creating some great chances, that, in all fairness, should have been tucked away.
Herculez Gomez tested Rais M’Bohli with a good shot to the near post, and later was put through on goal where could only send his shot into the body of M’Bohli, however he sent a shot/pass to Clint Dempsey who was lurking on the far post. Dempsey put it in the back of the net, but it was deja vu for the Yanks as it was unjustly called offside.
Dempsey watches his shot rattle the inside of the post and then sky the followup sitter.
The USA backline looked shaky at times, especially early on when Jay Demerit looked suspect, but they all came very much into their own as the game wore on and Demerit put in an outstanding display with captain Carlos Bocanegra have a flyer as well.
Algeria were not without their chances as well, however. They were looking to play on the counter attack all game, and looked very dangerous nearly every time they came into the final third. Karim Ziani had one of the chances of the Algerian’s game when, in the 69th minute, he was seemingly in the clear, but from the corner of the box sent his low driven effort wide of the post.
Nadir Belhadj was fairly effective bombing down the left side of the pitch, as his left foot sent in some rasping crosses that the Algerian front line couldn’t make anything of.
Michael Bradley and Maurice Edu looked like the most natural pairing in midfield, and, despite the fact that Edu still gave the ball away here and there, he compensated with his all around solid work in defense and in the build up. Landon Donovan and Michael Bradley also combined notably on more than a few occasions as they both looked lethal exchanging passes and making clever runs.
Etched onto the players faces is the importance of Donovan's late goal. Seriously...look at Feilhaber's face. You can't find anybody happier on the planet.
Benny Feilhaber replaced Herculez Gomez at half time, and he was an excellent change as he held the ball well, penetrated the back line and played an overall smart game. Edson Buddle came on for Maurice Edu in the 64th minute and also played a great role as his first touches were crisp and nearly scored with a headed effort five minutes after being introduced. DeMarcus Beasley was the last substitute to be introduced, but he failed to make any significant impression on the game. To be fair, he came on in the 81st minute and saw limited time on the ball.
The result means the United States top Group C and England will sit in the runners up spot. Slovenia were on the brink of sneaking into the knockout round, but Landon Donovan’s goal crushed any hopes they had. The Algerians played an interesting game, and began looking like they were playing for a draw; a result which would have brought them nothing in terms of reward other than personal satisfaction.
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