Slovenia v USA half time report
Slovenia 2 USA 0
An excellent Slovenia have stunned the USA, and lead 2-0 at half time in Johannesburg.
Goals from Valter Birsa and Zlatan Ljubilankič have given the European side a deserved advantage at the halfway point, and the minnows now look set to qualify for the second round.
The match was just 13 minutes old when Auxerre’s Birsa collected a pass 25 yards out before curling a sublime left footed effort that wrongfooted Oguchi Onyewu and sailed past a stranded Tim Howard, who didn’t move.
The Slovenians have dominated for large periods, and Howard just held on to Birsa’s long range free kick, before Slovenia coach Matjaž Kek was left appealing for a foul after Onyewu appeared to bring down Milivoje Novakovič on the edge of the penalty area.
The USA have been poor, but they were finally spurred into life by Jozy Altidore’s lively run. From the resulting free kick, José Francisco Torres drew a good save from Samir Handanovič, before Jay DeMerit headed over from a corner.
Some more excellent build-up play from the States before the break ended with Mišo Brečko’s terrific last ditch interception denying Landon Donovan.
It would prove crucial, and some more neat Slovenian passing ended with Novakovic releasing Ljubijankič shortly before the break, and the forward produced the coolest of finishes beyond Howard.
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