Soccer: British press blast 'keeper's cock-up

The British press are calling for goalkeeper Robert Green's head after his blunder cost England victory in their World Cup opener against the United States today.

"Hand of Clod", "Shock n Draw" and "New keeper cock-up" were just some of the headlines used to describe Green's gaffe, who only secured the England No. 1 shirt hours before kick-off.

Up 1-0 after skipper Steven Gerrard's fourth minute strike, England were seemingly in control until a harmless 25-metre shot from US midfielder Clint Dempsey bounced off Green's right glove and trickled over the line for the equaliser.

England outplayed the US for much of the match and had plenty of scoring opportunities but, unfortunately for Green, couldn't strike the killer blow.

Writing for the Mirror, former England defender Terry Butcher said it was the worst blunder he had seen by an England 'keeper.

"It was an absolutely horrendous mistake by the West Ham man to allow the ball to squirm through his hands," Butcher wrote.

"Green had a simple shot to deal with - and his basic technique was found to be embarrassingly wanting.

"In recent years England goalies like Paul Robinson and Scott Carson have been critically slaughtered for letting in soft goals. Green's howler last night was much worse."

The Daily Mail's Rob Draper was equally scathing in his report of the match.

"Sharing a scrappy point with the ever-improving United States is hardly a football catastrophe, though the manner in which they conceded a calamitous goal, which could well have ended the international career of goalkeeper Robert Green, certainly was," Draper said.

"England's failure to nurture a decent goalkeeper was always going to cost them at this World Cup; no-one had seen it happening quite so abruptly.

"Green wore the look of a man utterly broken, knowing full well that he will endure a lifetime of trial by TV replay, and even a smart second half save from [Jozy] Altidore on 65 minutes, touching the ball on to his near post, is unlikely to save him."

Green had been in a three-way battle with David James and Joe Hart to keep for England heading into today's game.

With James under an injury cloud and Hart lacking in big-match experience, Green was seen to be the safe option. But after today's clanger, he is unlikely to be retained for Saturday's (NZT) match against Algeria.

"Joe Hart's superb displays in training had almost won over the Italian [England manager Fabio Capello], but Capello stuck with the man in possession," the Daily Telegraph's Duncan White said.

"That may well change. Given that Capello refused to back Green after the game, Hart should get his chance against Algeria in Cape Town on Friday [Saturday NZT]."

"It is tough on the likeable Green, who has worked so hard to become England's first choice; he will now be remembered for this most embarrassing of mistakes," White said

However, it wasn't all doom and gloom for Green. Surprisingly, The News of the World took it relatively easy on the West Ham 'keeper and remained upbeat about England's chances for the tournament.

"Despite the result, England are still favourites to top their group," the tabloid said.

"And fans should remember that when England won the World Cup in 1966 they drew their first game - 0-0 with Uruguay."

- NZ HERALD STAFF