When Green turned Red - England Underway

England's World Cup Finals campaign got underway last night against the USA at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in South Africa, and it will be one to forget for West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green, after a horrendous mistake which ultimately cost his team three points.
One to forget for Green, but click here to remind yourself of how England's perfect start was ruined.

Green was Fabio Capello's preferred choice to start in goal for England in the opening game, but the Italian tactician will surely consider his goalkeeping options for the next game, when a routine save went horribly wrong for the Hammers keeper. A Clint Dempsey shot, which should have been a comfortable save, was spilt into the goal by Green in an awkward fashion. An unsightly goalkeeping howler and one said to have been 'lamented' by England captain Steven Gerrard.

The Three Lions started with purpose and were off to a flyer when Gerrard was put through on goal by Emile Heskey's clever through ball. The Liverpool skipper and now captain of his country, converted with ease in the 3rd minute to put England one up over the Americans, and eased the nerves of an expectant nation.

Capello decided to start with two wingers in James Milner on the left, and Aaron Lennon on the right, leaving the partnership of Gerrard and Frank Lampard in the middle. Aston Villa's Milner was suffering from illness before the game and after picking up a booking for a lazy foul in the 15th minute, was quickly substituted for Shaun Wright-Phillips. Clearly Capello wasn't going to take a risk by leaving the 24 year old on, but critics would argue it was a risk to start him if he hasn't been feeling well, and with the likes of Joe Cole and Wright-Phillips originally left out, one might wonder why he did start.

Having stolen an early lead, England soon settled into the game, but at stages it seemed they were all too happy to sit back on their one goal advantage. Team USA were proving to be a difficult force to break down and showed glimpses of danger when going forward but didn't prove to be clinical in their finishing. Some might say they set out to play spoiling tactics and to frustrate their superior opposition.

The American's persistence payed off five minutes before half time when Dempsey twisted and turned with Gerrard, before unleashing what some would describe as a relatively tame shot, straight at the keeper. However, this is England in the World Cup, and the curse of the English keeper returned, this time haunting poor old Rob Green. The England no.12 awkwardly failed to save the shot, turning the ball into the back of his own net. The ball spun furiously off of his arm and as he flapped at the 'Jabulani', his attempts to save himself from utter embarrassment only made the whole sequence look worse. Dempsey and Team USA couldn't believe their luck. For Green, he might have been thinking his luck had just run out.

The second half provided no winner, however there were a number of occasions where there might have been. The best of England's opportunities came from Emile Heskey, who had one of his better performances in an England shirt. The Villa forward was put clean through on goal from Lennon's pass, but his finish was clearly that of a striker who hasn't scored since February. The USA keeper Tim Howard came out quickly and Heskey's shot was hit straight at him. A goal for Heskey would have been the perfect reward for his otherwise solid performance, having created a goal and been on terrific form until substituted for Peter Crouch late on.

USA almost stole the lead when Jose Altidore got past Ledley King's replacement, Jamie Carragher, but saw his shot from close range being saved onto the post, as Rob Green shows the world that he is worthy of playing in a World Cup. Whether this save redeems Green of his previous blunder is up to you, but he did prevent all three points being lost.

Having drawn the opening game in 1966, the omens are yet on our side. Capello will be hard at work ironing out the mistakes and gearing the team up for their next tie against Algeria on Friday. Ledley King, who only made it to half time last night, will miss the next game through injury.

In a post match interview, the England captain Steven Gerrard talked of how the whole team are supporting Rob Green and how they are fully behind the goalkeeper. On last night's performance, that sounds like the best place to be!

The omens are with us, England still expects! Come on England!!