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Slovenia's players celebrate after winning the 2010 World Cup Group C soccer match against Algeria at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane June 13, 2010. [Agencies] |
POLOKWANE, South Africa - Robert Koren scored a late goal Sunday to give Slovenia a 1-0 win over 10-man Algeria and first place in Group C of the World Cup.
Koren scored with a long-range shot that Algeria goalkeeper Fawzi Chaouchi misjudged and allowed to bounce into the net off his arm in the 79th minute.
Algeria substitute Abdelkader Ghezzal had been sent off seven minutes earlier, picking up a second yellow card for handling the ball inside the Slovenian penalty area.
Algeria twice came close in the first half when Nadir Belhadj's 25-meter (yard) free kick forced Slovenia goalkeeper Samir Handanovic to stretch and push the ball over the crossbar, and defender Rafik Halliche headed just wide.
Both sides knew heading into the match that a loss would be costly, with difficult encounters against England and the United States left on the program. The Group C favorites drew 1-1 Saturday after a blunder by goalkeeper Robert Green cost England the victory.
The players in Polokwane showed nerves in the first half, frequently losing possession with inaccurate passes and crosses.
Slovenia's only scoring chance before the break was Valter Birsa's long-range attempt in the 43rd, tipped over the bar in a spectacular right-hand save by Chaouchi.
There was some commotion in the stands during the break when former France great Zinedine Zidane, who is of Algerian descent, was forced to climb to a higher section to get away from autograph-seeking Algerian fans who were pushed back briskly by security guards.
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Algeria's Hassan Yebda (19) jumps for the ball with Slovenia's Robert Koren during a 2010 World Cup Group C soccer match at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane June 13, 2010. [Agencies] |
Algeria beat North African rival Egypt in a tense playoff to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1986. Slovenia reached its second World Cup with an upset playoff victory over Russia.
Slovenia faces the United States next while Algeria travels to Cape Town to take on England.
Lineups:
Algeria: Fawzi Chaouchi, Madjid Bougherra, Nadir Belhadj, Anther Yahia, Rafik Halliche, Medhi Lacen, Rafik Djebbour (Abdelkader Ghezzal, 58), Karim Matmour (Rafik Saifi 81), Karim Ziani, Hassen Yebda, Fouad Kadir (Adlane Guedioura, 82).
Slovenia: Samir Handanovic, Miso Brecko, Marko Suler, Bostjan Cesar, Robert Koren, Valter Birsa (Nejc Pecnik, 84) Milivoje Novakovic, Bojan Jokic, Zlatko Dedic (Zlatan Ljubijankic, 53), Andraz Kirm, Aleksander Radosavljevic (Andrej Komac, 87).
