England Failed to Win Because of Jabulani

Rustenburg, KOMPAS.com – England throw away a victory for free. Excel quickly in the fourth minute, “The Three Lions” had to settle for a 1-1 draw against the United States in the provision for the Group C World Cup 2010, Saturday (06/12/2010).

Under the leadership of captain Steven Gerrard, England directly played with high-speed. This strategy surprising the U.S., who did not expect when Gerrard got the ball from Emile Heskey. Gerrard then brought the ball into the penalty box past Ricardo Clark. With the outside of his right leg, That Liverpool player was directed the ball into goalkeeper Tim Howard.

U.S. responded that goal through winger Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey action. Opportunities are created in the 18th minute when Donovan launched a long crossing to Jozy Altidore in front of goal Robert Green. England survived because Altidore failed to touch the ball.

U.S. efforts finally bear fruit goals for free. In the 40th minute, England goalkeeper Robert Green made a fatal mistake when he wanted to secure Dempsey kick. West Ham goalkeeper catches were not perfect and make a twist ball back and passed the goal line. 1-1 score stood until the interval.

In the second half, England ran increasingly insistent. Aaron Lennon and Heskey cooperation  in the 51st minute almost brought the second goal for England. Unfortunately for England, Heskey close-range shot right into the arms of Howard. A hard kick from Frank Lampard in the 62nd minute failed in the hands of Everton’s goalkeeper too.

England nearly conceded when Altidore beat Jamie Carragher on the left wing. Altidore then approached the wicket and took off his close range shot. Green reaction anticipated the ball and hit the goalpost before sliding back onto the field.

After that, “The Three Lions” always fail to organize an attack on the opponent’s penalty box. Had twice threatened through Shaun Wright-Phillips and Wayne Rooney, England chances evaporate in the hands of Howard. Scores not changed at the end of the game.

The Player composition:

England: Green, Johnson, King (Carragher 46), Terry, A. Cole, Lennon, Lampard, Gerrard, Milner (Wright-Phillips 30), Heskey (Crouch 80), Rooney.

USA: Howard, Cherundolo, DeMerit, Onyewu, Bocanegra, Donovan, Bradley, Clark, Dempsey; Findley (Buddle 78), Altidore (Holden 86).

It’s because Jabulani Again

Captain of England national team, Steven Gerrard, admitted refused to blame goalkeeper Robert Green on the results achieved by his team following a 1-1 draw when facing the United States (U.S.), at the group stage of World Cup 2010 South Africa. According to him, everyone knows that the official World Cup ball, Jabulani, had troubled the goalkeeper.

In that game, England could excel first, thanks to Gerrard’s goal in the fourth minute. However, at minute 40, the U.S. could equalized through Clint Dempsey.

Green actually managed to catch the ball. Yet, somehow, the ball loose from his arms and rolled into the goal.

“That is one strange thing. I do not think you can criticize the goalie because people are already criticizing the ball and the ball was very difficult. So we must be behind Robert and support him. I’m sure he will make a significant saving for us, “said Gerrard.

“Robert is a person. I’m sure he’ll learn from this and become stronger. He’ll probably do a rescue that will make us win games. So, we really support him,” he said. (AP)

With these results, the UK and the U.S. occupies the position of one and two championship Group C with one point. England still have two matches left, namely against Slovenia and Algeria.