12' ALG Yebda (YC)
62' USA Altidore (YC)
76' ALG Yahia (YC)
83' ALG Lacen (YC)
90+1' USA Donovan (1-0)
90+3' ALG Yahia (RC)
A game were the Yanks were being tested early and often, but luck was not on the Desert Foxes side. The Americans managed some very good chances, and even had a good goal disallowed on a borderline offsides call. Of course, the Americans have to make everything dramatic, and despite all their efforts and eventually becoming disheartened, they struck in stoppage time, ending the hopes of a positive result for Algeria.
USA Verdict: Shock winners of Group C, The Americans have displayed the passion (and even a bit of skill) that has been missing in years past, even though they have little to no good wing play. With the Americans getting much more support back home than usual, they might be able to shock parts of the world. The USA will meet Ghana in the knockout round, a rematch of the 2006 world cup group stage.
ALG Verdict: A decent showing, creating chances and holding steady at the back, but I would have liked to see the Desert Foxes playing with a little more urgency, since a win could have seen them through to the next round.
Man of the Match: Jay DeMerit (USA)
A game were the Yanks were being tested early and often, but luck was not on the Desert Foxes side. The Americans managed some very good chances, and even had a good goal disallowed on a borderline offsides call. Of course, the Americans have to make everything dramatic, and despite all their efforts and eventually becoming disheartened, they struck in stoppage time, ending the hopes of a positive result for Algeria.
USA Verdict: Shock winners of Group C, The Americans have displayed the passion (and even a bit of skill) that has been missing in years past, even though they have little to no good wing play. With the Americans getting much more support back home than usual, they might be able to shock parts of the world. The USA will meet Ghana in the knockout round, a rematch of the 2006 world cup group stage.
ALG Verdict: A decent showing, creating chances and holding steady at the back, but I would have liked to see the Desert Foxes playing with a little more urgency, since a win could have seen them through to the next round.
Man of the Match: Jay DeMerit (USA)
(I've never been more proud to be an American -Ed.)
England 1-0 Slovenia
23' ENG DeFoe (1-0)
40 SVN Jokic (YC)
48' ENG Johnson (YC)
79' SVN Birsa (YC)
England 1-0 Slovenia
23' ENG DeFoe (1-0)
40 SVN Jokic (YC)
48' ENG Johnson (YC)
79' SVN Birsa (YC)
81' SVN Dedic (YC)
A game controlled, but not dominated by the English. While they were finally able to win a game, they were not able to score enough to win the group, and will play Germany instead of Ghana.
ENG Verdict: A better performance from the Three Lions, but not really what they are capable of. Perhaps a big test against the Germans will inspire them to play better and get Rooney more involved.
SVN Verdict: Another good turnout from the Green Dragons, who have made waves at this tournament. They might not be going as far as they would have liked considering their good play, but it was a very good first World Cup for Slovenia.
Man of the Match: James Milner (ENG)
Group C Final Standings
A game controlled, but not dominated by the English. While they were finally able to win a game, they were not able to score enough to win the group, and will play Germany instead of Ghana.
ENG Verdict: A better performance from the Three Lions, but not really what they are capable of. Perhaps a big test against the Germans will inspire them to play better and get Rooney more involved.
SVN Verdict: Another good turnout from the Green Dragons, who have made waves at this tournament. They might not be going as far as they would have liked considering their good play, but it was a very good first World Cup for Slovenia.
Man of the Match: James Milner (ENG)
Group C Final Standings
United States 5 (1, four goals scored)
England 5 (1, two goals scored)
Slovenia 4 (0)
Algeria 1 (-2)
A Quick Commentary on Group C: This group features two teams (Algeria and Slovenia) who upset teams expected to be far better then they are (Egypt and Russia respectively) to earn their place in South Africa. Now consider the draw, imagine what this group would have been like if it was England, United States, RUSSIA, and EGYPT. Second group of death, anyone?
Germany 1-0 Ghana
40' Ayew (YC)
43' Muller (YC)
60' Ozil (1-0)
A routine game, where Germany had a plan, stuck to it, and Ghana was unable to stop it.
GER Verdict: A fairly standard approach from the Germans, where they did just enough to win. The Group D winners will play England in the Round of 16.
GHA Verdict: Another game from the Black Stars where they seemed to be relying on getting a penalty kick, which is. . not the most viable strategy. Despite their uncreative play, they will advance to play Group C winners United States.
Man of the Match: Mesut Ozil (GER)
Australia 2-1 Serbia
18' SER Lukovic (YC)
49' AUS Beauchamp (YC)
50' AUS Wilkshire (YC)
59' SER Ninkovic (YC)
Germany 1-0 Ghana
40' Ayew (YC)
43' Muller (YC)
60' Ozil (1-0)
A routine game, where Germany had a plan, stuck to it, and Ghana was unable to stop it.
GER Verdict: A fairly standard approach from the Germans, where they did just enough to win. The Group D winners will play England in the Round of 16.
GHA Verdict: Another game from the Black Stars where they seemed to be relying on getting a penalty kick, which is. . not the most viable strategy. Despite their uncreative play, they will advance to play Group C winners United States.
Man of the Match: Mesut Ozil (GER)
Australia 2-1 Serbia
18' SER Lukovic (YC)
49' AUS Beauchamp (YC)
50' AUS Wilkshire (YC)
59' SER Ninkovic (YC)
67; AUS Emerton (YC)
69 AUS Cahill (1-0)
73' AUS Holman (2-0)
84' SER Pantelic (2-1)
Two teams going in two directions within a short time. Australia started off terrible, but then drew Ghana and then beat Serbia. Serbia enjoyed a brief high in shock win against European giants Germany but came crashing back down to earth.
AUS Verdict: A good way for the Aussies to exit, though because of their rapid improvement, one might suggest they advance due to Ghana's. . . lack of play.
SER Verdict: A disappointing show from the team that had just defeated Germany. They've got a few complaints for the ref, but it wouldn't have changed anything.
Man of the Match: Carl Valeri (AUS)
Group D Final Standings
Two teams going in two directions within a short time. Australia started off terrible, but then drew Ghana and then beat Serbia. Serbia enjoyed a brief high in shock win against European giants Germany but came crashing back down to earth.
AUS Verdict: A good way for the Aussies to exit, though because of their rapid improvement, one might suggest they advance due to Ghana's. . . lack of play.
SER Verdict: A disappointing show from the team that had just defeated Germany. They've got a few complaints for the ref, but it wouldn't have changed anything.
Man of the Match: Carl Valeri (AUS)
Group D Final Standings
Germany 6 (4)
Ghana 4 (0)
Australia 4 (-3)
Serbia 3 (-1)
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