A bizarre bit of goalkeeping by Chaouchi costs Algeria what would have been a hard earned draw despite being down to ten men.
He tries to scoop up the ball without ever getting into position and Robert Koren’s almost speculative shot skips deflects of his shoulder into goal. It was the 78th minute.
This could not be blamed on the Jabulani or the artificial turf at Polokwane, it was Chaouchi’s mistake. It should not be sugarcoated as such.
Till then Algeria looked the more enterprising side with Nader Belhadj looking good especially in the first half. The quality of his crosses was a notch above the rest of the players. Their defense also managed to close down the Slovenian danger men, Milivoje Novakovic and Zlatko Dedic. I don’t think Novakovic got a shot on goal. Valter Birsa and Andrasj Krim, the Slovenian playmakers could create little although Birsa had the best chance when his long range blast was tipped over the bar by Chaouchi in a spectacular save.
Rabah Saadane should be pleased by how his back line responded.
Algeria’s big men forward Rafik Djebbour, Abdelkhader Ghezzal (red carded within minutes), and Rafik Saifi were disappointing.
This was a match which was mostly devoid of any exciting brand of football, most of the highlights were the highlights of self destruction.
Abdelkhader Ghezzal being a prime example receiving a yellow card minutes after substituting Djebbour and then 15 minutes later, pulling down a cross with his hand for his second yellow and an automatic 73rd minute expulsion. Then Chaouchi’s loss of composure in five minutes later.
The result is that Slovenia are on top of Group C and await the USA who will be desperate to get a win. A draw for the Slovenians will suit them fine, leaving them in good position for their final match against England.