Preview: Slovenia v USA
The smallest nation at SA2010 take on the largest, but it is the Slovenians who are currently top of Group C
The section's only winners so far after their 1-0 triumph over Algeria - their first ever at the Finals - Matjaz Kek's side now feel the pressure is off them.
"After our first match we are not so nervous anymore - all that anxiety has gone," midfielder Valter Birsa revealed.
"Now we have a very important match in front of us against a great team in the USA, but for us it's just a big reward to be here and playing in such an important match. We are going to do everything to enjoy it."
The Americans, on the other hand, have cranked up the pressure, with midfielder Landon Donovan likening it to a cup final after their 1-1 draw with England last weekend.
He said: "We talked all along about the importance of playing three games. Where there was a lot of importance on the England game, this game is equally important, in some cases more important. We realise now that if we lose this game, we are probably out of the tournament.
"But we are in a very good place. I think we are confident that Slovenia are a team that we can beat. For us this is like a final. If we lose the game, we're probably not going to advance, but if we win, we are in a very good position. This is as big a game as we will ever play and the guys are excited and ready for it."
USA coach Bob Bradley predicted a totally different match to their encounter with England, saying: "My overall assessment is that for pure speed and physicality Saturday night's game was probably at the very high end. The Slovenia game in some ways might be a little bit more of a chess match."
The USA will find Slovenia very difficult to break down, as they conceded just four goals in their 10 qualifiers.
Full-back Miso Brecko warned: "We have quite a lot of experience now and can see that nobody is unbeatable. We've become confident in recent years and it's now not enough just to play well - we want some success. We all realised that we can go further."
http://www.roadtosouthafrica.football-italia.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,13059~2073222,00.html
The smallest nation at SA2010 take on the largest, but it is the Slovenians who are currently top of Group C
The section's only winners so far after their 1-0 triumph over Algeria - their first ever at the Finals - Matjaz Kek's side now feel the pressure is off them.
"After our first match we are not so nervous anymore - all that anxiety has gone," midfielder Valter Birsa revealed.
"Now we have a very important match in front of us against a great team in the USA, but for us it's just a big reward to be here and playing in such an important match. We are going to do everything to enjoy it."
The Americans, on the other hand, have cranked up the pressure, with midfielder Landon Donovan likening it to a cup final after their 1-1 draw with England last weekend.
He said: "We talked all along about the importance of playing three games. Where there was a lot of importance on the England game, this game is equally important, in some cases more important. We realise now that if we lose this game, we are probably out of the tournament.
"But we are in a very good place. I think we are confident that Slovenia are a team that we can beat. For us this is like a final. If we lose the game, we're probably not going to advance, but if we win, we are in a very good position. This is as big a game as we will ever play and the guys are excited and ready for it."
USA coach Bob Bradley predicted a totally different match to their encounter with England, saying: "My overall assessment is that for pure speed and physicality Saturday night's game was probably at the very high end. The Slovenia game in some ways might be a little bit more of a chess match."
The USA will find Slovenia very difficult to break down, as they conceded just four goals in their 10 qualifiers.
Full-back Miso Brecko warned: "We have quite a lot of experience now and can see that nobody is unbeatable. We've become confident in recent years and it's now not enough just to play well - we want some success. We all realised that we can go further."
http://www.roadtosouthafrica.football-italia.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,13059~2073222,00.html
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.. I heard there was celebrations in Dublin after the French defeat.
