Slovenia, Algeria Reach Halftime Scoreless At World Cup 2010

When Group C for the 2010 World Cup was drawn, there were quiet fears of the type of soccer fans would see when a number of counter attacking teams faced each other. Sunday’s first half between Slovenia and Algeria brought all those fears to fruition, with the two Group C sides going to halftime scoreless after a disappointing first half.

The first forty-five minutes saw a lack of imagination lead to two sides playing too direct, straight into the opposition defense, as if trying to counter without a counter attacking opportunity. It wasn’t until half-way through the period that Algeria’s Nadir Belhadj started trying to work his way through the Slovenian defense.

But with both sides staying strong at the back, both sides were limited to one good shot on goal. Algeria’s came early from a dead ball struck by Belhadj that Slovenia goalkeeper Samir Handanovic steered over the bar. Algeria’s Faouzi Chaouchi made a similar save off an open play opportunity from Walter Birsa.