2010 World Cup: USA v Algeria half time report
USA 0 Algeria 0
USA and Algeria somehow played out a goalless first half at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
In a first half where there were many chances, we had everything but a goal.
On six minutes, Rafik Djebbour controlled the ball on his chest, turned and fired his shot against the crossbar.
A minute later, the Americans had their first chance, with Herculez Gomez managing to get a shot away with Algerian goalkeeper Raïs M’Bohlim pulling off a fine save.
The USA defence were twice beaten by what you can call basic punts upfield by M’Bohlim, showing signs of potential nerves.
Algeria adopted a shoot-on-site policy, with many of their efforts sailing over the bar. Karim Ziani was playing well again like he did against England last Friday. The tricky winger almost hit the target when he cut infield and hit a fine shot, but only to see the ball whistle wide of Tim Howard’s goal. The only shot from long range which forced Howard into a save was the one from Karim Matmour, which stung the fingertips of the American as he had to put the ball over the bar.
The moment of the first half fell to the Americans on 20 minutes, as Clint Dempsey had his goal ruled out for offside after tucking the ball in when Gomez’s shot was parried out to him. On first showing it looked like the correct decision, but replays showed it was tighter than expected and should have been given onside. Like their goal that was chalked off unfairly against Slovenia, the American’s seem to have a bit of bad luck.
Algeria knocked the ball around with confidence after the draw against England gave them their first clean sheet at a World Cup in eight attempts.
Dempsey again had a great chance to give his country the lead. A neat through pass by Landon Dononvan put the Fulham man in, but he shot straight at the onrushing keeper.
Jozy Altidore will join the club that Yakubu walked into last night for Nigeria. The Nigerian missed from three yards. It was harder for Altidore to miss than to score, but he somehow blazed over from a similar range. He hit the ball so hard and high that it was going to come down with snow on it.
The appearance of former American president Bill Clinton might not be enough to galvanise the US, who need to score with England winning against Slovenia in the other group match. As it stands, both Algeria and USA are heading out of the World Cup.
Tags: