Fabio Capello may not play Robert Green in England Vs Algeria
England will have to be satisfied with a point from their first World Cup group C match with the USA after their game finished in a 1-1 draw.
Capello’s men took the lead after just four minutes through Steven Gerrard, but a bad goalkeeping blunder in the second period from Robert Green allowed the United States to take something from the game.
Following the match, England boss Fabio Capello said that he was satisfied with the performance of his side, but bemoaned the bad luck, which prevented his side from taking three points in their opening game.
"We played a good game. But one mistake cost us. They shoot once at the goal, and they score one goal," said Capello speaking to ITV.
"This is football. I am really happy for the performance of the team. We are in a good moment and I think the next time we will be better. But only the result is not good."
When asked about the goalkeeping mistake from Green, who allowed a weak Clint Dempsey shot to sneak under him, the Italian was unwilling to condemn the England No.1 shot-stopper, although he did not give any assurance that the player will start the next game against Algeria on Friday.
"Sometimes a keeper makes mistakes. This is football. I spoke with some players and sometimes the flight of the ball changes at the last moment."
"The second half he played very well. I am really happy for him." he said.
England put the USA under a lot of pressure in an imposing second half display but could not find a winner and Capello was pleased with the display given by his midfield.
"Everything is positive, only the result not positive. Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard played really well. We had some chances to score goals and I hope next time we will be more lucky in front of goal." he said.
Lastly, Capello provided an update on Ledley King, who had to be substituted at half-time through injury.
He said: "Probably he can play next week. He has only one little problem."
Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard says England must pick up maximum points from their remaining two games in Group C following the 1-1 draw with the USA.
The captain gave Fabio Capello's side the edge after just four minutes but Robert Green’s howler when allowing Clint Dempsey tame effort to slip out of his grasp, gifted the USA an equaliser, late on in the first half.
Dempsey’s rather ambitious effort from the edge of the box, looked sure to fall into the hands of Green but the England goalkeeper somehow managed to let the ball glance off his right glove and squirm past him into the net for, what was to be the decisive goal in the match.
Gerrard was bitterly disappointed not to defeat the USA but is delighted not to get beaten in their first match of the tournament.
The England captain told ITV Sport: "It's one of them freak things.
"I don't think you can criticise the goalkeeper, people have been talking about the ball and it’s tricky and I’m sure he’ll play a big part later in the competition.
"It shocked us a bit but we expected to get on and win the match. I thought we finished the game stronger."
When asked if Robert Green would remain as England's goalkeeper all the way through the World Cup, Gerrard said: "Without a doubt, I’m sure he’ll learn from this and I’m sure he’ll play a part for us down the line and we’re all behind him."
On the subject of the game as a whole Gerrard said, "It was a difficult game."
"The most important thing is not to lose and unfortunately we have let a poor goal in and we couldn’t get the winner.
"The target now is seven points."
England now face Algeria in Cape Town on June 18 before coming up against Slovenia on 23 June in Port Elizabeth for their final group game.
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