Saadane blames Chaouchi blunder on Jabulani ball

الأحد، 13 يونيو 2010 - 19:11

كتب : Sherif Tarek

الجزائر شاوشي سلوفينيا

Algeria coach Rabah Saadane said goalkeepers are yet to get accustomed to the Jabulani ball, in the wake of his team's 1-0 loss to Slovenia in the World Cup on Sunday.

Former West Bromwich Albion midfielder Robert Koren scored Slovenia's winner with a tame 20-yard curling shot.

Fawzi Chaouchi could have easily palmed it away if it wasn't for his awkward dive; a slip-up that cost his country dearly in their World Cup opener.

However, Saadane pointed out that the new World Cup ball is still tricky for goalies.

"Everyone saw what happened with the ball, and what happened yesterday with England's goalkeeper," said Saadane.

"You have to adjust to the flight of the ball."

A howler from keeper Robert Green denied England an opening World Cup victory over USA on Saturday.

Green let a feeble effort slip through his grasp and into the net shortly before half-time and the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Many goalkeepers had complained about the unpredictable nature of the new Jabulani ball ahead of the competition.

Difficult Match

Saadane is now concerned with the Desert Foxes' upcoming match with England.

"We must recover and prepare for an even more difficult match with England, the best in the group," he said.

"It's going to be difficult. We had a great opportunity and we missed it."

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