Algeria paid the price of silly errors to lose their World Cup opener against an unremarkable Slovenia side on Sunday. A gaffe from goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi allowed Robert Koren to score the only goal of the game 11 minutes from time, shortly after Abdelkader Ghezzal had been clumsily sent off. Slovenia lead Group C after recording their first three World Cup points, while Algeria are bottom after England and USA. Little action The Fennecs were almost off to a dream start when Nadir Belhadj's freekick forced a great save from Samir Handanovic in the third minute. Despite the lively start, there was hardly a shot on target for the next 30 minutes or so, with both sides performing conservatively at their own half. In the 36th minute, Rafik Halliche saw his converted header go inches wide of Handanovic's left post, following a precise corner from Karim Ziani. Slovenia replied two minutes from the break when Valter Birsa's finesse shot was brilliantly parried away by Algeria keeper Chaouchi.
Sloppy ! The second half brought nothing more in terms of chances created at both ends, but the Algerians turned the table against themselves in the space of 20 minutes. Coach Rabah Saadane introduced striker Ghezzal for Rafik Djebbour on the hour mark, in an attempt to refresh the frontline. However, Ghezzal was booked after 10 seconds of his introduction for sloppily grabbing the shirt of an opposition, before being sent back to the dugout 12 minutes later for intentionally handling the ball. Five minutes later, Slovenia were in front, but had Algeria keeper Chaouchi to thank for their winning goal. In a quite similar sight of the Robert Green blunder for England, Chaouchi made a mess of Koren's tame shot to gift Slovenia the winner on 79 minutes. Veteran striker Rafik Saifi was sent in as the North Africans desperately searched for the equalizer, but Handanovic was hardly troubled in the remaning minutes.
