Slovenia benefit from keeper error to record historic victory
Published:Robert Koren secured his side’s first ever win at the World Cup finals thanks to another Group C goalkeeping fumble.
Algeria stopper Faouzi Chaouchi allowed a simple shot from the Slovenia captain to slip past him, in a similar manner to Robert Green last night.
Koren is 4/6 to finish Slovenia’s top scorer.
The African nation needed special FIFA dispensation to get Chaouchi into the match following a sending off in the African Cup of Nations, but may now wish they hadn’t bothered.
Slovenia now top Group C and will be buoyed going into their next match with the USA, while Algeria’s chances of progressing look slim to nought.
They will face England next and Fabio Capello’s men have apparently little to fear.
The lacklustre Algerians played their part in a dour game which only ignited any interest when substitute Abdelkader Ghezzal was sent off in 73rd minute.
The striker had been on the pitch for less than 15 minutes, but was dismissed for two bookable offences, the second being a needless hand ball.
Algeria have a habit for losing their cool and had three players sent off in their African Cup of Nations semi-final defeat by Egypt in January.
Indeed, later on in this match Portsmouth’s Hassan Yebda picked up a yellow for raking his studs down a Slovenia player’s legs, in a clear show of frustration.
Nadir Belhadj could pose problems for England down their right flank. He was Algeria’s brightest player, with endless running and a decent free-kick effort in the first half.
Belhadj is 16/1 to finish Algeria’s top scorer.
Both teams demonstrated a tendency for the defensive and England could struggle to break them down if they don’t get an early goal.
Can Slovenia qualify from Group C? They are 5/1 to finish top. See the full Group C betting market.
