Green’s goaltending gaffe results in 1-1 draw with Americans: Group C

Despite a brilliant start by the English, they managed only a 1-1 draw against the United States, thanks to a grave error from keeper Robert Green on Day Two of FIFA World Cup action from Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenberg.

In just the fourth minute of the game, England’s Emile Heskey served a beautiful pass to former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard at the top of the box, and he found the back of the net with a hard right-footed shot to open the scoring.

The Americans would climb back into the game in the 40th minute as Green struggled to control a low spinning shot from Clint Dempsey and could only watch as the ball twirled into the net behind him, transferring any momentum to the Americans.

England seemed to be in control of the majority of the match, outshooting the Americans 8-4, but was unable to beat the Man of the Match Tim Howard, who kept England at bay with key saves in the second half.

The question for England now turns to goaltending. Green’s mistake may show that he’s not ready for the pressures of being the number one keeper at the World Cup.

England has two other keepers in the wings waiting for their shot at the 2010 World Cup: international veteran David James, who has made his own fair share of famous mistakes between the pipes in big games, and Joe Hart, who is young and inexperienced at only 23 years of age and has played only three halves in his entire international career.

Regardless of which keeper coach Fabio Capello sends to the pitch for England’s next game against Algeria on Friday, the road to the 2010 World Cup just got that much more intriguing.

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By: Chris G. Ballard
Posted: Jun 12 2010 3:14 pm
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Filed under: 2010 World Cup