Robert Green’s World Cup could be over after a calamitous mistake cost England victory in their opening group game against the USA last night, according to the Daily Mail.
The West Ham stopper allowed Dempsey’s speculative long range strike to slip through his fingers to undo England’s good start in Rustenburg.
Fabio Capello, who was visibly frustrated throughout the game, is now likely to drop Green in favour of either David James or Joe Hart.
Although the England boss appeared to back his goalkeeper after the game, it is likely that he will look to James or Hart for Friday’s game against Algeria.
“When I decided Green would be the keeper, he had played the last game very well and the performance was good. He made one mistake but in the second half he made also a good save. This is the problem with being a keeper. We have to accept the mistakes of the keeper in football, just like we have to accept the mistakes of the referees or the forwards,” the Italian said.
Green himself was quick to pour water on any thoughts that he wouldn’t be able to bounce back on the mistake but it appears that the damage is already done.
“I don't want to make any excuses about the ball. It might have moved, I don't know,” he said.
“But it was my mistake and I'm responsible. I've made errors before and I've been big enough to get over them and I will this one.
“I'm man enough to admit what went wrong and now it's time to move on.
“Of course I want the opportunity to put it right in the next game against Algeria. You have to be strong and I know I have the character to bounce back.”
Fabio Capello is also faced with a selection dilemma in defence after Ledley King was ruled out of the Algeria game with a groin injury.
Jamie Carragher replaced the Tottenham man during the game against the USA, but King’s team-mate at Spurs, Michael Dawson, could stake his claim for a place in the starting eleven.
See Also : Three quick thoughts: Algeria-Slovenia or Algeria vs Slovenia match ended 1-0: FIFA World Cup-2010
Slovenia Tops 10-Man Algeria In Group C
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