体坛英语新闻：England held goalless draw with Algeria in World Cup

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, June 18 (Xinhua) -- England, one of the FIFA World Cup hot favorites, were held a goalless draw with Algeria in a Group C match here on Friday, standing third after the two group matches.

England coach Fabio Capello said after the game that the Algerians defended well and "we made many mistakes under high pressure".

"We have to focus on our next game," he noted.

Both teams were in need of a positive result after underwhelming openings. England drew 1-1 with the United States and Algeria lost 1-0 to Slovenia. Also in Group C, the Americans came from two goals behind to make a 2-2 tie with Slovenia earlier today.

England's David James (C) saves the ball during the 2010 World Cup Group C match against Algeria in Cape Town, South Africa, June 18, 2010.

England coach Fabio Capello and Algerian fullback Nadir Belhadj both celebrate their birthday. But they had to see one of the most lackluster matches of the ongoing World Cup. Both sides failed to create clear scoring chances.

England must take a huge part of the discredit for such a game, as poor as 1-1 with Ireland in 1990.

Completely outfought and constantly outnumbered in the middle of the field, England always seemed hurried and never had the opportunity to build their self-confidence. As the game went on, their passing grew steadily worse and worse.

Despite having suffered similar problems using a 4-4-2 against a 4-5-1 in the first half of the warm-up match against Japan, it was surprising to see Capello so reluctant to bring on someone like Joe Cole or even Michael Carrick to help assert some control.

The 29th minute witnessed a great combination between Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard, a crisp interchange. Gerrard unleashed a curling shot from 25 yards but Nigerian keeper Rais M'Bolhi held onto it.

England cmae again in the 33rd minute when midfielder Aaron Lennon sent a cross in to Lampard who hit a left foot effort. But M'Bolhi again kept hold of the ball.