The story of the game was the referee. After he booked players for early challenges. There was no doubt someone would get sent off sooner rather than later and in the 37th minute it happened. Klose was sent off for a second bookable offence which turned the game. Two minutes later Serbia were ahead. Cross in from Milos Krasic, a header down from Nikola Zigic. Jovanovic took a touch and smacked it home. A Podolski cross into the box was lunged at by Vidic who hand balled it. The second successive penalty they have conceded. Podolski struck a poor penalty which was easily saved. The Germans pressed but couldn't find a way through Serbia.
USA 2 (Donovan 48, Bradley 82) Slovenia 2 (Birsa 13, Ljubijankic 42)
Slovenia were the better side for the majo took the lead through Birsa. He found space between the US defence & midfield. Took a couple of touches & curled a tremendous shot from outside the area. Tim Howard was rooted to the spot, he could only admire it as it sailed in. The Americans were coming back into the game and had chances to equalise but Slovenia grabbed a second. Slovenia hit them on the break just before half time as Ljubijankic beat the offside trap and comfortably put his shot under Howard & into the net.
The USA started the second half brightly and got their reward when a Slovenian defender slipped which allowed Donovan in, he was waiting for someone to make a run to cross it but went himself and smashed it into the roof of the net. That made it 2-1 and USA playing the better. On 82 the US equalised, a long ball from Tim Howard was headed down by Jozy Altidore and Bradley ran in, controlled his shot which ended up in the net. The Americans should have won the game when Maurice Edu put the jabulani home from a Donovan but the referee gave a freekick to Slovenia. It was a soft & wrong award.
Algeria 0 England 0
Algeria were the better side & England were awful. Not much of note happened in the game. Both sides had some half chances but all in all a pretty poor game.
Upcoming Fixtures:-
Germany vs Ghana - Wednesday 23rd - 7:30pm
Serbia vs Australia - Wednesday 23rd - 7:30pm
USA vs Algeria - Wednesday 23rd - 3:00pm
Solvenia vs England - Wednesday 23rd - 3:00pm
