Published>Fri, Jun 18 10 11:17 PM
The United States and Slovenia produced an enthralling, pulsating 2-2 draw in Group C on Friday in a game which highlighted perfectly the strengths and weaknesses of two fascinatingly imperfect teams.
Slovenia were comfortably in charge of a first half where they showed they can play sophisticated and intelligent passing football and the United States woefully failed to match them tactically or disturb their rhythm.
The 2-0 difference between the teams at the break -- after goals from the excellent Valter Birsa and Zlatan Ljubijankic -- was fair reflection of the way in which Matjaz Kek's team out-thought and out-manoeuvred a baffled U.S. side.
But the second half, when the United States bullied and bustled their way back into the game with a performance bristling with aggression and determination, exposed a soft underbelly to the Slovenian team.
The comeback, which would have been a remarkable victory had Maurice Edu's late effort not been ruled out, showed once again the impressive heart and spirit of the U.S side epitomised by Michael Bradley's equaliser which was brimming with anger and energy.
Slovenia lacked the ability that truly top teams have, to weather the storm and then regroup and regain control of a game.
Both teams now head into the final round of group matches with a chance of progress but up against exactly the styles they are clearly least comfortable against.
Slovenia have four points but face the physical presence of England, the United States have two points and are against the short-passing approach of Algeria.
Both will need to address their fundamental flaws if they are to extend their presence in South Africa beyond the group stage.
U.S coach Bob Bradley had made one change from the team which scrapped out a draw with England, bringing in creative midfielder Jose Torres for the more defence-minded Ricardo Clark.
It was a positive move from Bradley, who clearly wished to see his side control possession but it didn't work as his midfield was hopelessly outplayed by the smart Slovenes, guided by the industrious and canny Robert Koren.
Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey, employed on the wide of midfield are both attackers by instinct and Donovan in particular failed to carry out his defensive duties, leaving left-back Carlos Bocanegra helplessly exposed against Birsa.
Birsa had no-one near him when he looked up and spotted Tim Howard off his line and drove home the first goal from 25 metres out -- but even that did not wake up the U.S to the need to deal with the threat coming from Slovenia's right.
Bradley did address the problem at the break and got it spot on. Benny Feilhaber came on to the left and did a fine job in reducing the influence of Birsa, Maurice Edu replaced Torres in the centre of midfield and brought in the necessary extra running and fight.
Slovenia simply didn't adapt and appeared to be shaken by Donovan's goal just three minutes after the restart which gave the Americans real belief.
The U.S. showed that the long ball game is not always to be scoffed at, as they made good use of Jozy Altidore's height against a Slovene defence that suddenly looked uncomfortable.
Faced with a direct and physical response, the Slovenians made the fatal mistake of defending deeply and hoping to hold on to their lead and they paid the price.
Source: Web Search
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