Troubled England hope for points against Algeria

Troubled England resume their World Cup challenge Friday with high hopes of collecting three points against limited Algeria in Cape Town.

The Three Lions did not match their nickname as they spluttered to a 1-1 draw against the United States last weekend with a Robert Green goalkeeping howler gifting the equaliser.

Steven Gerrard had given the 1966 champions a perfect start by scoring four minutes into the Rustenburg clash only for Green to let a timid Clint Dempsey shot slip from his grasp and over the line.

In the aftermath, manager Fabio Capello was criticised for not telling his squad until the day of a fixture who would make the starting line-up, but the Italian is not wavering.

“I have always used this method. Should there be a change? I prefer no change. Why is it harmful? All the players are focused and ready to play, no problem,” he said.

He also hinted Green could get a chance to redeem himself against Algeria, shock qualifiers at the expense of six-time African Nations Cup winners Egypt after a play-off.

“Every player that makes a mistake deserves a second chance,” he stressed without mentioning Green. “I judge a player on his qualities and not his mistakes.”

Goal-shy Algeria had their chances against Slovenia before substitute striker Abdelkader Ghezzal was sent off and a blunder by goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi presented captain Robert Koren with a late winner.

The sight of the England shirt should lift North African spirits and if they score first, spectators at the 70,000-seat Cape Town Stadium could be in for an interesting night.

United States and Slovenia come face to face at Ellis Park in Johannesburg for a Group C match likely to determine who accompanies England into the knockout second phase.

Although suspect in central defence, the Americans should have the edge over opponents who offer little going forward and could easily have lost to the Algerians.

Germany, along with Argentina the most impressive teams so far in the 32-team spectacle, tackle a Serbian side fighting for survival in Port Elizabeth after losing 1-0 to Ghana.

Australia were taken apart by a German side showing no ill effects from the absence of injured midfield conductor Michael Ballack and the 4-0 margin could have been doubled with sharper finishing.

Impressive qualifiers Serbia never got going against Ghana and after being reduced to 10 men, conceded a needless penalty that leaves them in danger of being among the 16 first-round casualties.

German manager Joachim Loew warned his players: “I know the Serbian culture. They are strong fighters and since losing their first match they are even more dangerous now.”

Gonzalo Higauin scored the first hat-trick of the tournament as Argentina struck twice in the closing stages at Soccer City to outclass South Korea 4-1 Thursday and move within a point of qualification.

Greece claimed their first World Cup victory in the other Group B match, coming from behind to defeat Nigeria 2-1 in chilly Bloemfontein with a gaffe by goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama leading to the second-half winner.

France, champions in 1998 and runners-up to Italy four years ago, are staring elimination after being overrun in the second half by Mexico and losing 2-0 in Polokwane.

Uruguay and Mexico have four points each in Group A and if they draw in Rustenburg next Tuesday, both will progress to the last-16 stage and leave France and South Africa on the scrapheap.