header banner

US storm back to tie with Slovenia

alt=
By No Author
SOUTH AFRICA, June 18: The United States made a dramatic comeback from two goals down at halftime to draw 2-2 with Slovenia and rescue their World Cup chances on Friday.



Slovenia took a surprise 2-0 lead by halftime, outplaying the Americans and scoring with goals from Valter Birsa in the 13th minute and Zlatan Ljubijankic in the 42nd. [break]



But Landon Donovan scored a brilliant individual goal three minutes after the break and as the Americans poured forwards, Michael Bradley, son of coach Bob Bradley, grabbed an equaliser eight minutes from time.



Slovenia grabbed the lead through a superb 25 metre strike from Valter Birsa - left in acres of space the winger looked up and fired past a strangely stationary Tim Howard.



The US were struggling to match-up in midfield with Birsa causing isolated US left-back Carlos Bocanegra all kinds of trouble but they went close to leveling in the 41st minute when Clint Dempsey crossed low to Landon Donovan but Miso Brecko slid in to clear.



But a minute later, the US were caught on the break, Milivoje Novakovic split open a flat back line with a superb through ball to Zlatan Ljubijankic who kept his cool and slotted past the advancing Howard.



US coach Bob Bradley had plenty to sort out at the break and he brought on Maurice Edu and Benny Feilhaber to the midfield, taking off Jose Torres and striker Robbie Findley.



Within three minutes of the restart the US pulled a goal back, Landon Donovan cutting in from the right flank and then blasting in at the near post from the tightest of angles.



The US poured forward in search of an equaliser and eight minutes from time Michael Bradley surged into the Slovenia penalty area to get onto a knock-down from Jozy Altidore and put a rising shot past keeper Samir Handanovic.



Related story

Slovenia, Austria, Malta extend support to Nepal

Related Stories
SPORTS

Slovenia takes lead in Paragliding Accuracy World...

paragliding-nov-3.jpg
SPORTS

Rooney dropped from England's starting lineup for...

wayne-rooney.jpg
SOCIETY

Thursday’s storm killed two, injured 99 in Kailali...

kailali-kanchanpur.jpg
SOCIETY

Strong storm in Kailali-Kanchanpur destroys en mas...

Strong storm in Kailali-Kanchanpur destroys en masse
SOCIETY

Over Rs 5 million worth of crops, fruits destroyed...

an%20arial-bara.jpg