Slovenia eye US scalp for progress

JOHANNESBURG: Group C table-toppers Slovenia are going to have to battle to the last minute if they are to overcome the US in their World Cup clash today and progress to the second round, said US goal-keeper Tim Howard.

Slovenia are top of the group after an opening 1-0 triumph over Algeria while the US held England to a 1-1 draw last Saturday.

A Slovenian victory over the US will send them into the last-16 and midfielder Andrej Komac was in bullish mood on the eve of the game when he declared, “We are going to win this match”.

Howard, who has shaken off a rib injury from the England game to take his place in the US goal, said the Slovenian needs to back up his words.

“Talk is cheap,” said the 31-year-old Everton goal-keeper. “He has got to stand toe-to-toe and they have got to stand toe-to-toe with us for 90 minutes. And if he’s still standing, then I’ll take my hat off to him.”

Published in the Express Tribune, June 18^th, 2010.