Slovenia v USA

TEAM NEWS

Slovenia have no reported injury concerns and could be unchanged from the victory over Algeria. Forward Zlatan Ljubijankic replaced the ineffective Zlatko Dedic in the second half of that game and is pushing for a start.
USA goalkeeper Tim Howard will play despite suffering bruised ribs in a collision with England's Emile Heskey on Saturday. Coach Bob Bradley is expected to stick with the same starting XI, having praised their character in recovering from the early goal conceded against England.

MATCH PREVIEW

The smallest nation at this World Cup size up to the biggest, with Slovenia's slingshot trained on America's Goliath. Having recorded their first World Cup win at the expense of Algeria, Slovenia will qualify for the last 16 if they beat the USA.
That would ensure redemption for coach Matjaz Kek, who was mockingly called Kekec - meaning a fool - after failing to win any of his first five competitive games in charge.
But Kekec is also the name of the hero in a famous Slovenian children's story who outwits the villain. A country of only two million people will have a real person to revere if Kek guides his team to the knockout stages by beating a nation that is 150 times bigger in terms of population.
The USA's players have acknowledged that their opening draw against England will count for nothing if they lose this game. While defeat would virtually eliminate them, a win would put the USA well-placed to progress from the group with an unsurpassed four points.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

- This is the first meeting between Slovenia and the USA at any level.
Slovenia
- Slovenia is the fifth smallest nation by population ever to play in a World Cup, behind Trinidad & Tobago (2006), Northern Ireland (1958), United Arab Emirates (1990) and Uruguay (1930).
- Slovenia have won seven of their last eight matches since losing to England in September.
- Striker Milivoje Novakovic needs one goal to move clear in second place on Slovenia's all-time goalscorers list. He is currently alongside the retired Saso Udovic on 16 goals.
- Aleksander Radosavljevic and Andrej Komac will be suspended for the next game if booked.
United States
- The USA have lost four of their last six matches against European opposition, with their only win in that time coming against Turkey in May.
- They have gone 11 consecutive matches without keeping a clean sheet.
- Landon Donovan is poised to earn his 125th cap. He is the fourth most-capped player in US history.
- Robbie Findley, Steve Cherundolo and Jay DeMerit will earn a one-match ban if booked.

MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Koman Coulibaly (Mali)
Assistants: Redouane Achik (Morocco) & Inacio Candido (Angola)
Fourth official: Subkhiddin Salleh (Malaysia)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_22/default.stm

Draw.

USA win, 2-1

1-0 to USA.

(why, because for the football development of Ryan Nelsen, Simon Elliot, Tony Lochhead, Andrew Boyens, Duncan Oughton, Jeremy Christie, Andy Barron and Tim Brown)

U S A , U S A , U S A !

and Jarrod Smith

Finlay booked for getting hit in the head by the ball. Misses next game.

Hopefully he'll be playing after they appeal that decision.

Is that possible to appeal at this tournament???

AWB not sure if it's intentional or not but you are continuously spelling Slovenia incorrectly.

Am I the only one finding the referring in this tournament shockingly inconsistent?

Am I the only one finding the referring in this tournament shockingly inconsistent?

Am I the only one finding LiamO's & AJ13's pictures side by side disturbing - esp as I know where AJ gets his delightful pics frm

Now I am too... :(

[QUOTE=AllWhitebelievr]

The vuvuzelas may have affect the players concentration that leads to some of the most shocking mistakes in the competition as some claim, but it's open up the group down to the last final pool game for most teams.