Fabianski has left school.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet]
It was due to a sloppy mistake, similar to Green's, that the Slovenians managed to grab all three points at Polokwane earlier today. Again some responses came from all quarters as the official match ball was blamed for the surreptitious flaw. With ten minutes to go, captain Robert Koren took the weak shot and Ghaouchi attacked the ball poorly. Even when the result seems pretty unfair, the Algerians suffered from the costly mistake in one of the most boring matches I have ever seen in the past six months.
The great step forward was made by the Europeans who sit relaxed in the top of the group with three points and one goal. In different parts the result will be welcomed more proactively.
Celebrating the lead.
[Photo: Reuters via Telegraph]
The crass mistake occurred ten minutes before the final whistle but before that, Faouzi Chaouchi looked solid in the few chances that throughout the first forty-five minutes the Europeans had. In the other half, Handanovic palmed an "early warning" freekick from Nadir Belhadj. In the 40th minute a corner from Ziani saw Halliche failing to head correctly; despite his great effort a more effective contact could have put his team ahead. Just before the break a lovely shot from Birsa made its way into the post as Chaouchi tipped away.
In the next half efforts from Kirm and Brecko covered all attacking options form the Slovenians for quite a while. On the other side, Ghezzal was brought in in the 58th minute. He got his first booking minutes away from his inclusion and then, after Belhadj made a cross, he tried to control the ball; the problem was that he made it with his hand. Batres correctly punished him and sent him to the showers. Then, Koren did his feat; it seems strange that both matches in this group have been decided by similar mistakes from the keepers. Fortunately for Robert Green, he will not be the only one in the spotlight.
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