ENG v USA (1930 GMT) (Royal Bafokeng Stadium)

Starting Line-up

ENG: Green, G. Johnson, A.Cole, Terry, King, Gerrard, Lennon, Lampard, Milner, Rooney and Heskey

USA: Howard, Bocanegra, Onyewu, Cherundolo, DeMerit, Bradley, Dempsey, Clark, Donovan, Altidore, Robert Findley

England waited for a long time for this (especially me!). Since England failed to qualify for Euro 2008, they were forced to hire another foreign manager after sacking of Steve McClaren and Fabio Capello done well as England manager recording only one lost in competitive games.

USA, on the other hand were on shaky state. With their commanding defender Oguchi Onyewu not 100% fit, their defence look shaky and statistic of conceding goals in ten consecutive occasion at this stage, did not help them to boost their moral prior to the match.and manager since then. England lost just once under Capello's tenure and this gave them a lot of confidence prior to World Cup.

First Half

England sticking Heskey meant they were going to send the ball to him and hope he can keep

hold of it to lay it off to second player moving inside the box. And this worked as Heskey's through ball created Gerrard's goal. However, soon after the goal, Altidore threatened England twice with his head. Although they were off the target, it showed that England defence lacked organisation. England had a good chance though, when Glen Johnson crossed excellent ball inside the box. Unfortunately, it was tipped away by Howard.

Then the disaster. Carson's blunder against Croatia repeated once again, when Dempsey had

speculative shot 25 yards away from the goal, Green blundered and palmed it back of his own

goal. In comparison to Carson, at least he had a reason of playing in poor pitch, but Green's case, he didn't have any excuse for this. Pitch was in perfect condition and he didn't put his body

behind it. Awful goalkeeping and one for Capello to consider before Algeria match.

HT 1-1

MOTM in the 1st half: Glen Johnson: Operating lively on the right side and gave trouble time on USA defence.

2nd Half

England began to dominate possession in 2nd half and it was Lennon's through ball that handed Heskey one on one chance against Howard but it was saved quite comfortably by Howard, which made Heskey's goal ratio even poorer. Soon after another attacking from England came through and this time, it was corner. Lampard's great delivery made USA defence to struggle to deal with it but yet again Johnson misfired it. Moment later, USA was on the counter attack but Altidore's shot was saved by the post. Then it was all England once again. However, with numerous aimless crossing from both wingers and full-backs made hard for England forwards to capitalise from it.

FT 1-1

MOTM in the 2nd half: Tim Howard: Exceptional in organising defence.