2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa: Paraguay vs. New Zealand - Fulltime Report
Paraguay lined up with a 4-3-3 offensive formation with Santa Cruz and Oscar Cardozo the noticeable players in their attack. New Zealand captain Ryan Nelson led the team out despite suffering from stomach sickness and missing their last training session before the match. Paraguay topped the group before the match with four points and had a positive two goal difference whereas New Zealand were in third place with only two points and a zero goal difference. Both of these teams last played in 1995 and Paraguay won that match 3 goals to 2.
The first half started off brightly as Paraguay looked to attack the New Zealand goal with a free kick around the 2nd minute mark however the ensuing attack did not result in a solid shot towards goal. New Zealand looked to respond with an attack of their own but the follow up shot was wide off the mark.
The first yellow card of the match was shown to the Paraguayan defensive midfielder Caceres for his late tackle on the Kiwi striker Fallon in the 9th minute of the match. Valdes was seemably Paraguay’s best player on the left side of attack during the opening exchanges of the match as he continuously troubled the New Zealand defense.
Paraguay maintained an intense level of control during the first half of the match as they dominated the possession and played some quick passes around the Kiwi defense. New Zealand struggled to keep possession, which made it easy for Paraguay to control the tempo of the game throughout the first half. Paraguay controlled the game for large periods and dictated the speed of play but failed to penetrate the New Zealand back three for the first 45 minutes. Most of the Paraguayan efforts on goal were restricted to shots from a long range out.
At the 40th minute mark, the second yellow card of the game was shown to the Paraguayan striker Santa Cruz who stomped on Killen’s foot. At the half time whistle the score was nil all. Kiwis started the second half with a blitz towards the Paraguayan goal which was futile at the end as the ball went out for a goal kick. The 55th minute of the match saw Ryan Nelson, the kiwi captain get booked for a late block on the Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz.
At the 60th minute of the match, Paraguay took a short corner. The resulting shot brought a fine save out of the Kiwi goalkeeper, Paston. Paraguay made their first two substitutions of the match as Valdes and Cardozo made way for Benitez and Barrios.
New Zealand made their first change soon after as well as Chris Wood came on for Rory Fallon in the Kiwi attack at the 69th minute mark. The possession trend from the first half continued into the second period as Paraguay had the majority of the possession. There was a dearth of drive from the Paraguayan players and it seemed at times that they were playing for a draw. At the 78th minute of the match, Kiwis made their second substitution with Killen making way for Jeremy Brockie. A Roque Santa Cruz free kick forced the Kiwi keeper again into a fantastic save at the 80th minute mark.
The match ended as a nil all draw at the end despite Paraguay pushing for the winner the last minute and New Zealand looking dangerous on the counter but not enough to trouble the Paraguayan defense. The result means that Paraguay go through from the group to the round of sixteen of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and New Zealand go home after an average display in the first round of the World Cup.
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