Ex-Owl dents England's chances

Last updated : 18 June 2010 By C. Morris

Former Sheffield Wednesday defender Majid Bougherra played a key role at the heart of the Algeria defence on Friday evening as England failed to produce the goods for the second game in succession at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The Rangers defender was seen as a cult hero of sorts to some of the Hillsborough faithful in his short time with the Owls in the 2006/07 before he turned his back on the club for what turned out to be a regrettable and fleeting stint in the Premier League with Charlton.

In truth the centre-back was rarely troubled throughout the 90 minutes in Cape Town as Wayne Rooney and co produced yet another toothless performance for the three lions. Many England fans may have mocked the performance of the French the previous evening but Fabio Capello's side could offer little if anything better themselves though they do at least still have qualification in their own hands.

The tepid 0-0 draw against the North Africans means that England must beat Slovenia in their final Group C match on Wednesday afternoon to ensure they make it into the last 16.