The Fan

Green slip gives USA draw

The Editor — Sat, June 12th 2010

England 1 - USA 1

After Gerrard had given England the perfect start with his 3rd minute goal England had started to settle and take a grip of the game, when a speculative 25 yarder from Dempsey slipped through keeper Rob Green hands for an equaliser.

England dominated second half possession and looked like they could force the result, but bad misses by Heskey and Wright-Philips meant the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Capello had a number of decisions to make when choosing his team - 3 of them backfired. Apart from the selected of Green as the goalie, Milner (who had been ill all week) looked off the pace and was substituted after an early booking, and permanently crocked Ledley King was forced off at half time with an injury.

THe decision of Heskey to partner Rooney was more successful with the Aston Villa striker one of England’s better players, working hard and putting himself on the line for the team more than any other.

Gerrard played well as the caption, but Rooney and Lampard were far too subdued until England took a grip later on. Of the others, only Glen Johnson shone.

A draw to start is not disaster, especially against supposedly the strongest opponents in the group, but England will need to improve greatly to progress much further in the tournament.

Listed in: Competitions, World Cup, World Cup 2010, Countries, England

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