Netherlands 0: 0 Denmark
Monday, June 14, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Slovenia beats 10-man Algeria 1-0 in World Cup
Hey England and America, look who's on top of your World Cup group. Little Slovenia! Robert Koren scored a late goal Sunday to give Slovenia a 1-0 win over 10-man Algeria in the teams' tournament opener, putting the World Cup's smallest nation — population 2 million, about the size of Houston — ahead of the United States and England in Group C.
The Slovenian captain struck a long-range shot that Algeria goalkeeper Fawzi Chaouchi misjudged and allowed to bounce into the net off his arm in the 79th minute.
"I was just lucky to see it go in like that," Koren said.
Algerian coach Rabah Saadane said the new World Cup ball was a challenge for goalkeepers.
"Everyone saw what happened with the ball, and what happened yesterday with England's goalkeeper," Saadane said. "You have to adjust to the flight of the ball."
Algeria substitute Abdelkader Ghezzal was ejected seven minutes earlier, picking up a second yellow card for handling the ball inside the Slovenian penalty area.
It was the first World Cup victory for Slovenia. The Balkan country lost all three of its group matches in the 2002 tournament.
"It was a mental victory," said Slovenian coach Matjaz Kek. "We wanted to win so much, so it's great for our confidence to get that win."
Both sides knew they were heading into a match in which a loss would be costly, with England and the United States — both higher ranked — left on the schedule. The Group C favorites tied 1-1 Saturday after a blunder by England goalkeeper Robert Green allowed Clint Dempsey's shot to trickle into the net.
Algeria twice came close to scoring in the first half, when Nadir Belhadj's 25-yard free kick forced Slovenia goalkeeper Samir Handanovic to stretch and push the ball over the crossbar, and when defender Rafik Halliche headed the ball just wide.
Algeria coach Rabah Saadane said Chaouchi apologized to the team for failing to track Koren's shot. But the coach refused to criticize the goalkeeper.
"We must recover and prepare for an even more difficult match against England, which is the best of the group," Saadane said. "It's going to be very difficult now. We had a great opportunity today and we missed it."
The players seemed nervous in the first half, frequently losing possession with inaccurate passes and crosses.
Slovenia's only scoring chance before the break was Valter Birsa's long-range attempt in the 43rd minute, tipped over the bar with a spectacular right-hand save by Chaouchi.
The match could have taken a different turn two minutes before Koren's winner when Algeria's Karim Ziani caught defender Marko Suler off-guard and pushed toward the Slovenian goal, but was cut off by Handanovic.
There was some commotion in the stands during the break when former France great Zinedine Zidane, who is of Algerian descent, was forced to climb to a higher section to get away from autograph-seeking fans who were pushed back briskly by security guards.
Algeria beat North African rival Egypt in a tense playoff to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1986. Slovenia reached its second World Cup with an upset playoff victory over Russia.
Slovenia faces the U.S. next, while Algeria travels to Cape Town to take on England.
The game at the newly built Peter Mokaba Stadium was the first World Cup match played on a surface partly consisting of artificial grass. Similar turf is being used at some major stadiums in Europe.
Algeria 0-1 Slovenia
Algeria 
Algeria
| Slovenia
|
Substitutes:
Venue: Peter Mokaba Stadium | Substitutes:
Referee: Batres |
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Saadane: Spirit is strong
Saadane: Spirit is strong
Algeria coach Rabah Saadane insists his decision to drop captain Yazid Mansouri from the team for tomorrow's 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Group C encounter with Slovenia has not had an adverse impact on the team.
Saadane made the decision on Thursday after revealing he did not think the 32-year-old former Coventry midfielder, Algeria's most experienced player at the FIFA World Cup with 67 caps, was in good enough form.
Mansouri has remained with the squad and is expected to be on the bench in Polokwane. Defender Anther Yahia will wear the captain's armband while Hassan Yebda, who spent this season on loan at Portsmouth from Benfica, could replace Mansouri in midfield.
Asked whether the decision to drop Mansouri had affected morale within the squad Saadane, who also led Algeria in their last FIFA World Cup appearance in 1986 in Mexico, said: "I think the team has become used to playing a large number of matches with some people missing.
I think the team has become used to playing a large number of matches with some people missing.
Rabah Saadane, Algeria coach
"We have always tried to work from a psychological and technical perspective as a team and we will work with the team that is on the pitch on the day. It is how the team responds collectively on the day which will decide how we play. I will put people on the pitch who are psychologically and technically ready for the match. If there are any weaknesses then the spirit of the group will carry us forward."
Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra said the players tried not to be distracted by the fuss surrounding Mansouri as most were looking forward to playing in their first World Cup after a semi-final finish in the CAF African Nations Cup earlier this year.
"This is like a dream which has come true and we are very happy to be here," he said. "The African Nations Cup was good for us. We are confident we are in the top five of the African teams. We are going to feel the pressure and it will be a difficult match tomorrow but we are very much ready in our minds and I very much hope our legs go with us.
"I think our spirit, our soul is very much there. We will raise the flag and I don't believe we will lose this spirit. We are a very well integrated team and I think we will play very much as a collective together."
Nelspruit - Mbombela Stadium
Nelspruit - Mbombela Stadium
City:
Nelspruit
Nelspruit
Name:
Mbombela
Mbombela
Capacity:
40000
40000
This is also one of the newly-built stadiums for the World Cup 2010. Mbombela stadium is named after the province in which Nelspruit is placed. Literal translation of the Mbombela stadium name is "a lot of people in a small space".
Mbombela stadium can accommodate 46 000 people, and is placed about 12 km from the Nelspruit city center.
Nelspruit had not international stadium before this one, so Mbombela Stadium will be also very
useful to residents once World Cup 2010 finishes.
Port Elizabeth - Nelson Mandela Stadium
Port Elizabeth - Nelson Mandela Stadium
City:Port Elizabeth
Name:
Nelson Mandela Bay
Capacity:Nelson Mandela Bay
If you plan to travel to Port Elizabeth, book a room at the hotel while there are still unbooked rooms. Port Elizabeth will be crowde with visitors durin the World Cup 2010 so then will be very difficult to find a room.
To search all hotels in Port Elizabeth, enter the check-in and check-out date and click "Go", and we will offer you all the free rooms for the selected period.
The new stadium, named after Nelson Mandela is built for the World Cup 2010 needs. Stadium is located on the North End Lake coast, and this is the first football stadium in the city and surrounding area.
Stadium capacity is 50 000 people, and it will host, among others, match for the third place on World Cup 2010.
Nelson Mandela stadium has impressive roof and an excellent view of the North End Lake, so it will also be interesting to tourists when World Cup finishes.
Pretoria - Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Pretoria - Loftus Versfeld Stadium
City:
Tshwane/Pretoria
Tshwane/Pretoria
Name:
Loftus Versfeld
Loftus Versfeld
Capacity:
50000
50000
Lotfus Versfeld Stadium is one of the oldest stadiums in South Africa. The first h sports competitions here are held in 1903, but the first "real" stadium has been built in 1923, when its capacity was 2000 people.
The stadium was upgraded many times, and today has capacity of 50 000 people. In addition to football, the stadium is used for rugby, but also for other sports.
Rustenburg - Royal Bafokeng Stadium
Rustenburg - Royal Bafokeng Stadium
City:
Rustenburg
Rustenburg
Name:
Royal BafokegenCapacity:
40000
40000
Royal Bafokeng Stadium was named after the Bafokeng people who live in this area. Unlike most stadiums for the 2010 World Cup, this stadium has been built before, and it requires only minor modifications for this World Cup.
The stadium is situated 12km from the center of Rustenburg, and can accommodate 42 000 people.
Polokwane Peter Mokaba Stadium
Polokwane Peter Mokaba Stadium
City:
Polokwane
Polokwane
Name:
Peter Mokaba
Peter Mokaba
Capacity:
45000
45000
Peter Mokaba Stadium is a new stadium built for the World Cup in South Africa. Stadium is named after a famous fighter against the apartheid regime.
Stadium design is inspired by traditional South African Baobab tree, a structure is mainly made of concrete with metal roof construction which enhances the visual impression of the stadium.
Peter Mokaba Stadium can accommodate 45 000 visitors, and distance to the city center is 5km
Johannesburg - Soccer City Stadium
Johannesburg - Soccer City Stadium
City:
Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Name:
Soccer City
Soccer City
Capacity:
94700
94700
This magnificent stadium was built in 1990, and for the 2010 World Cup will be renovated and upgraded. Soccer City Stadium is considered as one of the largest and most beautiful on the African continent, so this stadium will host World Cup 2010 opening ceremony and the final match also.
Soccer City stadium had a capacity of 80 000 people, but after the renovation and reconstruction, the final capacity will be increased to a truly impressive number - 94,700 seats.
Johannesburg Ellis Park Stadium
Johannesburg Ellis Park Stadium
City:
Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Name:
Ellis Park
Ellis Park
Capacity:
62000
62000
Elis Park Stadium in Johannesburg has a long tradition, so on this stadium was played numerous important international matches. Last of them was Confederations Cup 2009 final match between Brazil and the United States.
The stadium has a capacity of 62 000 seats now, because Elis park stadium is upgraded for needs of World Cup 2010. Before this upgrade capacity was 57 000 seats. For the first time this stadium was built in 1928. as a rugby stadium, and it is completely re-built in 1982.
Elis Park Stadium is home of the Orlando Pirates, one of the most popular clubs in South Africa.
Bloemfontein - Free State Stadium
Bloemfontein - Free State Stadium
City:
Mangaung/Bloemfontein
Mangaung/Bloemfontein
Name:
Free State
Free State
Capacity:
45000
45000
This stadium has had a capacity of 38 000 seats, but for the 2010 World Cup and Confederations Cup 2009 stadium has been upgraded and now can accommodate 45 000 people.
Free State stadium has hosted many important matches, and the last of them was in 2009, when the Confederations Cup semifinal between Spain and the United States was played at this stadium.
Free State stadium is named after the province in which it is located.
Cape Town Green Point Stadium
City:
Cape Town
Cape Town
Name:
Green Point
Green Point
Capacity:
40000
40000
This newly-built stadium is located in one of the best areas in Cape Town. At Green Point stadium will be played one World Cup 2010 semi-final match.
This truly a magnificent stadium has a capacity of 70 000 seats, and after the South Africa World Cup it will be used for various sporting events such as rugby matches, but also for other cultural events in the city.
Durban - Moses Mabhida Stadium
Durban - Moses Mabhida Stadium
City: Durban
Name: Moses Mabhida Stadium
Capacity: 60000
Moses Mabhida Stadium will host one
World Cup
2010 semi-final match. This stadium is also a brand new stadium built for the South Africa
World Cup.
The architecture of the stadium reveals a lot of symbolism, and is inspired by the South African national flag. The central arch extends over the stadium, on one side begins with two legs that comes together and end as one leg on the other side. It symbolizes the unification of formerly divided country.
Moses Mabhida Stadium is a multifunctional stadium with a capacity of 70 000 seats. The main stadium arch is 305 meters long and in the middle of the stadium reaches an impressive height of 105 meters.
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