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Goalkeeper blunder hands US 1-1 draw with England

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-06-13 06:18

This combination of photos show England's goalkeeper Robert Green reacting after conceding a goal against the US during the 2010 World Cup Group C soccer match at Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg June 12, 2010. [Agencies]

 

RUSTENBURG - The United States held England to a 1-1 draw in World Cup Group C opener Saturday, with a stunning blunder by English goalkeeper Robert Green costing his team victory.

An apparently harmless 25-meter (yard) left-foot shot from Clint Dempsey in the 40th minute went straight at Green but the ball bounced off his right glove and trickled over the line for an equalizer.

"It's one of those that you see and people say, 'How come that never happens to me,"' Dempsey said. "Finally, it's a goal that probably the 'keeper should have made a save on. They all count the same when they go in."

Green seemed confident he wouldn't be scarred by it.

"Mentally we're strong enough to get over it and as a goalkeeper these things happen," Green told Sky TV. "You prepare yourself for not letting it affect you."

England captain Steven Gerrard had given England the lead in the fourth, charging into the area and shooting with the outside of his foot past Tim Howard for his 17th international goal.