WORLDCUP SOUTH AFRICA 2010

The Slovenian team pose before their Group C first round 2010 World Cup football match on June 13, 2010 at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane. (Top row, from L): Slovenia's goalkeeper Samir Handanovic, Slovenia's striker Milivoje Novakovic, Slovenia's defender


The Algerian team pose before their Group C first round 2010 World Cup football match on June 13, 2010 at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane. (Top row, from L): Algeria's midfielder Hassan Yebda, Algeria's striker Rafik Djebbour, Algeria's defender Madjid Boug.

Algeria keeper hands Slovenia 1-0 win
POLOKWANE, South Africa (Reuters) - A dreadful mistake by Algeria goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi handed Slovenia a 1-0 victory in their opening World Cup Group C match on Sunday.

Chaouchi fumbled a harmless looking 79th minute shot from Slovenia captain Robert Koren, allowing the ball to squirt through his arms into the bottom left hand corner of his net.

Algeria had been reduced to 10 men when substitute Abdelkader Ghezzal was sent off in the 73rd for handball having already been booked. He was only on the pitch for 15 minutes.

It was Slovenia’s first win at a World Cup after their only previous appearance, in 2002, ended in three defeats.

They top Group C with three points, two ahead of England and the United States, who drew 1-1 in Rustenburg on Saturday.

The Algerians had been marginally the better the side in a lackluster encounter until then, with the bleach-blonde Hassan Yebda bossing their midfield.

But they created few chances with their best opening having come as early as the third minute through a Nadir Belhadj free kick which Samir Handanovic tipped over the bar.

At the other end, Slovenia created little of note until just before the break when a rasping left foot strike from midfielder Valter Birsa forced an acrobatic save from Chaouchi.

Both teams appeared to struggle with the high bouncing World Cup ball and time after time they over-hit their passes with the ball running harmlessly out of play.

England’s draw with the U.S. in the group’s opening match also contained a goalkeeping error, with England’s Robert Green producing a howler to gift the Americans their equalizer.

::GALLERY::


POLOKWANE, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 13: Robert Koren of Slovenia shoots to score the first goal during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group C match between Algeria and Slovenia at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on June 13, 2010 in Polokwane, South Africa.


POLOKWANE, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 13: Robert Koren of Slovenia celebrates scoring the opening goal during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group C match between Algeria and Slovenia at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on June 13, 2010 in Polokwane, South Africa.


Algeria's goalkeeper Fawzi Chouachi leaps to make a save but misses, conceding a goal to Slovenia's midfielder Robert Koren (unseen), during their Group C first round 2010 World Cup football match on June 13, 2010 at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane.


Algeria's striker Abdelkader Ghezzal (R, up) leaps in the air before committing a foul and receiving a red card during their Group C first round 2010 World Cup football match on June 13, 2010 at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane.


Algeria's striker Abdelkader Ghezzal (front) receives a red card from Guatemalan referee Carlos Bartes during their Group C first round 2010 World Cup football match on June 13, 2010 at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane.


French former football player Zinedine Zidane (C) watches the Group C first round 2010 World Cup football match Algeria versus Slovenia on June 13, 2010 at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane.


Algeria's defender Anther Yahia (L) runs after Slovenia's striker Zlatko Dedic during their Group C first round 2010 World Cup football match on June 13, 2010 at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane.


Slovenia's midfielder Aleksander Radosavljevic (L) fights for the ball with Algeria's midfielder Karim Matmour during their Group C first round 2010 World Cup football match on June 13, 2010 at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane.


Algeria's goalkeeper Fawzi Chouachi (2nd L) and Algeria's defender Rafik Halliche (L) defend the goal as Slovenia's defender Bostjan Cesar (2nd R) and Slovenia's midfielder Aleksander Radosavljevic try for a chance on goal during their Group C first round 2010


Slovenia's striker Milivoje Novakovic (L) fights for the ball with Algeria's midfielder Karim Ziani during their Group C first round 2010 World Cup football match on June 13, 2010 at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane.


Slovenia's defender Bostjan Cesar (2nd L) tries for a chance on goal as Algeria's goalkeeper Fawzi Chouachi (R) saves the ball and Algeria's defender Anther Yahia and Algeria's defender Madjid Bougherra look on during their Group C first round 2010 World Cup.


Fans cheer before the Group C first round 2010 World Cup football match Algeria versus Slovenia on June 13, 2010 at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane.