Bradley completes US fightback

USA fought back from two goals down to earn a battling 2-2 draw with Slovenia and keep their FIFA World Cup™ hopes alive in an exciting Group C clash at Ellis Park.

Matjaz Kek's men looked on course for a second straight win in the section when they took a 2-0 lead into the break through Valter Birsa and Zlatan Ljubijankic but the Americans hit back as Landon Donovan narrowed the deficit before Michael Bradley equalised eight minutes from time. The result left Slovenia top of Group C with four points ahead of England's meeting with Algeria later in the day, and ensured the Americans remain undefeated with two draws ahead of their third game against the Algerians.

An exciting contest opened with Birsa blasting Slovenia into an early lead. There were just 13 minutes on the clock when the midfielder collected the ball some 25 yards from goal and left Tim Howard rooted to the spot with an expertly-guided strike to the goalkeeper's left. Bradley's men sought a response and came close when midfielder Francisco Torres fired in an inswinging free-kick from out wide that drew a fingertip save from Samir Handanovic. Donovan then looked set to tap in Clint Dempsey's low cross only for defender Miso Brecko to get a decisive touch to clear the ball.

Slovenia looked to be in dreamland in the 42nd minute when Ljubijankic doubled their lead. Milivoje Novakovic played a defence-splitting pass through to Ljubijankic who, with the Americans appealing in vain for offside, slipped the ball coolly past Howard. Yet Donovan threw the Americans a lifeline three minutes after the restart when Bostjan Cesar failed to deal with a ball down the right touchline, allowing the LA Galaxy man a free run into the box. Cutting in from the right, Donovan lashed a superb shot high above Handanovic at the near post.

With the Slovenia defence struggling to cope with the power and aerial strength of the imposing Jozy Altidore, Bradley's men kept the pressure on and the coach's son grabbed the US the point their efforts deserved – a father-and-son first in the FIFA World Cup. Altidore nodded a high ball down into the path of the onrushing Borussia Moenchengladbach midfielder and he fired emphatically into the roof of the net. The Americans might even have won the game only for referee Koman Coulibaly to rule out a goal from Maurice Edu, who volleyed home Donovan's free-kick from the right. There was still time for Novakovic to threaten with a header at the other end but his effort was held comfortably by Howard.

THE NATURE'S WILD LIFE STADIUM

It may have been freezing elsewhere in the country, but when Honduras and Chile met each other head-on at Mbombela stadium’s World Cup opener on Wednesday, it was in glorious sunshine.

Mpumalanga province, of which host city Nelspruit is the administrative capital, is home to a spectacular array of scenic attractions. Of these, the Kruger National Park, with its two million hectares of unspoilt African bushveld, is undoubtedly the best-known.

It was with this in mind that Cape Town-based chief architect Mike Bell tackled the brief to design a stadium for the province. He wanted to reflect the area’s important connection to the Kruger Park, and came up with 18 giraffe supports as a signature feature. Facing outward, they patiently guard the surrounding rocky outcrops.

Inside, the liberal use of bright colours was inspired by the province’s native Ndebele tribe’s way of decorating their homes, and zebra-striped seats complete the wildlife theme.

It has been met with rave reviews. As the predominantly Chilean-favouring crowd started streaming in, visitors were enthusiastically photographing each other against the backdrop of the giraffes.

Matias Vergara, a Chilean student, commented on the stadium’s setting. “I like the nature and hills around it,” he said. “You don’t feel like you’re anywhere near a city.”

Others liked the ease of access and the abundance of ablution facilities, but mostly appreciated the stadium’s quirkiness. “It’s just such a bright and breezy space,” remarked a visitor from Gauteng. “You can’t help but feel happy.”

“We’re very proud of our stadium,” commented Mike Bruwer, a Nelspruit resident. “It’s a bit like us - not too serious.”

Who is Spain's most important player?

Spain will begin the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ as the favourites for gold. It’s hardly surprising, given that Iker Casillas, Carles Puyol, Xavi, Cesc Fabregas, Andres Iniesta, David Villa and Fernando Torres are all considered among the best players in their respective positions in the sport.
who is really your spanish most important Player. your thought and comment are always welcome.

DID YOU KNOW ?

Past meetings
In a twist of fate often seen in the competition, Maradona faces Nigeria in his first match as a coach in the FIFA World Cup, almost 16 years to the day since his last match as an Argentina player against the very same team.
Did you know?
England suffered one of the most surprising defeats in FIFA World Cup history in 1950, when, in their maiden campaign, they succumbed 1-0 to USA, with Joe Gaetjens grabbing the now legendary winner. The story goes that many newspaper editors back in England, unwilling to believe the news they had just been delivered, and fearing a typographical error, took the decision not to cover the match in their early editions. One English publication even went so far as to announce a 10-1 victory for the overwhelming pre-match favourites.
Trivia
Tickets are hard to come by for the much-anticipated game between England and USA at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg. In fact, with a capacity of 38,646, it represents the smallest of the tournament's ten different venues, dwarfed by the 84,490 seats available at Johannesburg's Soccer City Stadium.