FIFA World Cup 2010: England vs. Slovenia – Half time report.
England went into the match knowing that they had to win to qualify for the knock out stages. Defoe and Milner were brought in to replace Heskey and Lennon. Slovenia progress with a win or a draw. They also progress if they lose to England and USA draw with Algeria. The Slovenian defender Nejc Pecnik was recalled after recovering from some bruised ribs.
The match got under way with both sides looking to attack.Rooney had the first real chance of the match on the 18th minute but his shot was saved expertly, the resulting corner was defended poorly and the ball almost snuck in. Johnson was looking like his lively self and controlling the right side of the field. Slovenia were on the break on the nineteenth minute but John Terry showed some heroic defending and put the ball behind for a corner.
Rooney was playing much deeper then usual trying to pick up the occasional loose ball. Milner whipped in a magical cross from the right wing, which was met by the flying boot of Defoe, who crept into the box and snuck that ball in to give England the lead. Replays suggest that the Slovenian keeper Handanovic could have done better there. England got into a much better stride after the goal and were stroking the ball all over the place trying to keep maximum possession. On the twenty sixth minute the ball fell kindly to Lampards feet and he should have buried his shot but it sailed over the empty net. England finally started to look like the team the fan’s travelled to see. Johnson send a driven cross from his weaker left foot from the right wing, onto the feet of captain Steven Gerrard but his poor control let the opportunity go to waste. Defoe was in the heart of things again on the thirtieth minute mark, laying the ball off to Rooney who passed it to the rushing Gerrard and his first time shot was kept out by Handanovic, but just barely. England were looking sharper then they did in their previous outings, with the players rushing onto the loose balls and stringing together pass after pass. Upson who came in to replace Carragher was looking sharp and was putting in tackles left and right. Jokic went into the book for bringing down Johsnon and saw the first yellow of the game. He will be out of the next round if Slovenia are to make it through. Birsa’s long range free kick drew James out to make a fine save. That was the first time he was tested in the entire half, unfortunately the follow up could not have been put in by the Slovenians since the offside flag was already up. After that the game quieted down, with the ball flying back and forth between both the keepers. Soon after the half time whistle blew with the English one nil up.
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