Group C & D: Will the favourites triumph?
Group C & D: Will the favourites triumph?
By Gordon Fleetwood, writing from New York City
Group C
1. Slovenia (P: 4 GF: 3 GA: 2 GD: 1)
2. USA (P: 2 GF: 3 GA: 3 GD: 0)
3. England (P: 2 GF: 1 GA: 1 GD: 0)
4. Algeria (P: 1 GF: 0 GA: 1 GD: -1)
The games
USA - Algeria
England - Slovenia
The situation
Mathematicians must be licking their lips when analyzing the possible permutations in this group. Qualification is balanced on a knife’s edge with all four teams equally poised to grab a spot into the next round. In the first game, top of the table Slovenia take on stuttering England. A point is enough for Slovenia to ensure their passage to the knockout rounds. Given their opponents unimpressive showing so far, they will be fancying their chances. They are a well organized side with defensive discipline who have enough talent in midfield and up front to create and take their chances. England after being touted to qualify without breaking a sweat are facing elimination. As the saying goes, they are less than the sum of their parts, with their talent ridden team looking short of cohesion and intelligent play in particular down the wings. England have been especially poor with regard to ball retention and passing, something the Slovenians seem largely at ease with. With the English public already calling for their heads, the impetus will be on them to come out and perform.
