GEO 436 POLOKWANE, South Africa: Cautious Algeria and Slovenia were drawing 0-0 at half-time on Sunday in a World Cup Group C game at Peter Mokaba Stadium in this northern city. Warm, clear conditions greeted the outsiders in a mini-league expected to be dominated by 1966 champions England and the United States, who drew 1-1 in Rustenburg the previous night. A free kick in front of goal and outside the penalty area offered the North Africans the first chance and goalkeeper Samir Handanovic did well to tip over a Nadir Belhadj shot. Goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi and Portsmouth midfielder Belhadj were fortunate starters for the ”Desert Foxes” as bans stemming from 2010 African Nations Cup red cards were dropped only this week by the African Football Confederation. The early exchanges had a heavy imprint of caution with ball retention the first priority for teams who reached the tournament at the expense of world top-20 ranked sides Russia and Egypt. Spectators blowing plastic vuvuzela horns were creating a distinct South African atmosphere in a match featuring plenty of neat passing but a paucity of goalmouth action. Aleksander Radosavljevic was first to be cautioned after fouling Belhadj on 35 minutes and Slovenia had a scare soon after as a Rafik Halliche header off a corner went wide. Chaouchi came to the rescue as half-time approached, acrobatically tipping over a dipping Valter Birsa shot as Slovenia moved up a couple of gears and also forced a couple of corners.
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