David James defends fellow England goalkeeper Robert Green
England goalkeeper David James has leapt to the defence of fellow England goalkeeper Robert Green, following the West Ham man’s catastrophic blunder that handed the USA a share of the points in their World Cup Group C opening game.
England had achieved the dream start they were hoping for, thanks to an early goal from captain Steven Gerrard, but Green’s gaffe, when he let a tame Clint Dempsey shot squirm through his hands shortly before half-time, gifted the Americans an opportunity to snatch a point.
Green was summoned to take guard duty ahead of James and Joe Hart, following months of debate and much disagreement about who should be awarded England’s No.1 jersey in South Africa, but the 39-year-old was quick to offer his support to the former Norwich City shot stopper after the match.
“Mistakes happen in goalkeeping, and Rob Green made a great save in the second half to keep us at 1-1,” said James. “A mistake like that should stay with you for just two minutes.
“It is all about mental strength and as I said, he has made a great save in the second half. We haven't lost and there are a lot of positives to take out of the game.”
The Three Lions and Green will have to overcome their shoddy opening display swiftly with them now looking forward to a crucial must-win game against Algeria in their next match on Friday.
England were clearly the more dominant side having had 16 shots throughout the match and defender Glen Johnson, was content with the performance, but admits they should have taken more of their chances and secured three points.
Johnson said: "We didn't win the game so are disappointed, but we feel we had quite a good performance so we look forward to the next match.
"Mr Capello said he was happy with the performance but felt we were unlucky not to win the game. I think we created enough chances to win the game, but that's football - you win some and you lose some."
England goalkeeper Robert Green is himself keen to make amends for his mistake that allowed the USA to equalise in Saturday’s 1-1 draw in Rustenburg.
England skipper Steven Gerrard opened the scoring for Fabio Capello’s side after just four minutes, clipping a right footed shot past Tim Howard, following a through ball from Emile Heskey. But it was the 30-year-old’s howler that gifted USA striker Clint Dempsey an equaliser which allowed the American side back into the game.
Green appeared to have the situation under when Dempsey tried an audacious strike from the edge of the area, but the ball somehow squirmed agonisingly off his right hand glove, before trickling over the line.
However, Green felt that he was able to keep his emotions under control and was confident for the remainder of the game after his mistake, and is keen to move on.
"It's done, it happened," he told BBC Radio Five Live. "It's not something you can allow to affect yourself. In the next 50 minutes, I felt confident, I felt fine. It's about being steady and taking the rough with the smooth, but that's life as a goalkeeper. I've been in this situation before and it's about holding your head up high, facing you guys [the media] taking the flak which is going to come. That's just life."
Whether Green will be allowed the opportunity to take his place in the starting line up against Algeria is another question. It seems most likely however, that he will be replaced by either David James or the promising young shot stopper Joe Hart
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