USA fans jubilant as the English hang their heads
Supports say the Amecicans played exceptionally well
Dubai: The hoopla surrounding the much anticipated England-USA Group C World Cup clash was sure to incite brazen passion from football fans from both sides of the Atlantic.
The Blends Bar at The Address, in Dubai Marina provided a lively setting for the 90-minute extravaganza that ensued.
"The intensity is so tangible I can almost touch it and wrap myself around it," said an animated fan with English and American flags painted on his face.
With the crowd dominated by a hearty English contingency, pre-game chatter consisted of hypothetical scores mapping out the expected English victory.
Meanwhile, an American support team tentatively formed in an inconspicuous corner, visited by the occasional Scot, Irishman and Canadian.
As fans donned the respective colours of the Saint George cross and the Stars and Stripes, the civility was shattered by heightened banter from the English quarter, seeking to exorcise the ghosts of 1950 when the USA prevailed in a shocking 1-0 upset.
"We are looking for redemption, nothing but a victory will suffice or the tabloids will have a field day", said Josh Brendan, sporting a vintage George Best jersey.
It turned out that the unforgiving English tabloids would have a field day after all.
Robert Green's embarrassing gaffe off a speculative strike by Clint Dempsey should supply them with all the ammunition needed to make him England's latest goalkeeping scapegoat, a la Seaman, Robinson and Carson.
"We have our first Jabulani moment, shame on Fifa!" said supporter Neil Phillips as he blamed Green's blunder on the controversial new ball.
The 1-1 final result was a boost for the American delegation, and they were in no forgiving mood.
"Even with that fumble, we played exceptionally well and deserved the tie considering no-one gave us half a chance against the mighty English," said Texan Shawn Armstrong.
