SSR Vol5 FIFA- WC-SA

USA

USA was the most feared of the three CONCACAF teams at World Cup South Africa. The Americans were in Group C with England, Slovenia and Algeria. However they lived by the sword, and in the end they die by it, after trying to come from behind once to often. USA made some unbelievable come backs in games in which they could have easily lost. Their never say die attitude was working up to a point but dancing with the clock from as early as its first match against England was not a good sign. After falling behind England 1-0 on a Steven Gerrard goal in the 4th minute, USA equalized on goalkeeper Robert Green’s blunder to draw the game and

Too many comeback attempts

share the points at one apiece. While many wrote about the blunder which caused the equalizer for USA, others recognized England’s inability to keep pace with USA's team speed, when the emotions were high and the game was on the line. USA heroics continued in their second match against Slovenia. After trailing 2-0 at the half, the Americans not only tied the score 2-2 on second half goals by captain Landon Donavan and Michael Bradley, but was robbed on a botched call by referee Koman Coulibaly, which negated Maurice Edu’s volley off Donovan's free-kick, which would have surely given USA the win. USA continued to live on the edge. Captain Landon Donavan scored in extra time to give USA a 1-0 win over Algeria and the group title. But after winning the Group B ahead of England, USA went to the well once to often and was eliminated by Ghana in an overtime nail biter in the Round of 16.

Honduras ran out of games and players to be truly competitive with their experienced opponents in Group H. Playing their most important game against Chile in its opening contest, Honduras did well (if there is

such a thing), to come out on the short end of a 1-0 decision, after coming under heavy fire during the game. Los Catrachos lost their second match to Spain 2-0 when the eventual champions doubled their lead just after the half to secure the victory. After a 28 year absence, Honduras proved that they can compete with the world ‘s best, when they held Switzerland to a scoreless draw in their last match. The tie eliminated Switzerland, and allowed Chile and Spain to advance out of the group.

Honduras

Gave in to the pressure

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