Gerrard put England ahead inside four minutes but Green let a simple Clint Dempsey shot slip from his grasp as Fabio Capello's side had to settle for a point in their opening match in Rustenburg.

Gerrard told ITV1: "It was a difficult game. The most important thing in the opening game is not to lose. The idea was to win but unfortunately we let a poor goal in and we couldn't go and get the winner. The target now has to be seven points."

Reflecting on Dempsey's goal, Gerrard continued: "It was one of those freak things, I don't think you can criticise the keeper. People have been talking about the ball and it is tricky.

"Rob will learn from this and he might make an important save that wins us a match. We're all behind him. It was a bit of shock and it took us a while to get over it."

Coach Capello was pleased with his team's showing, if not the result.

"We created a lot of chances," he told ITV1.

"We played a good game but one mistake and they scored one goal. It was a good performance from the team. We hope next time we will be more lucky."

Capello did not criticise Green but refused to confirm whether he will stick with the West Ham number one for Friday's meeting with Algeria.

The Italian continued: "Sometimes a forward misses a goal and sometimes the keeper makes a mistake, this is football. The second half he played very well."

Capello, though, is hopeful Ledley King will be fit for Friday after the defender picked up an injury during the first half and had to be replaced by Jamie Carragher.

"Probably he can play," added Capello. "It's only a little problem."