FIFA World Cup 2010: Italy crash out, Paraguay tops Group F
After the elimination of the runners-up from the World Cup in 2006, i.e. France, the fans of football were hoping to avoid another such shameful exit, as the defending champions Italy were also in danger zone. The Italians, under the World Cup winning coach, Marcello Lippi, were up against Slovakia. In the other group match, the Paraguayans faced a meagre New Zealand team, and no team was in the comfort zone to qualify for the second round of the World Cup.
Slovakians were not performing well in the tournament, as they failed to get all three points from the New Zealand game, while they were humiliated by the Paraguayans in their second game of the World Cup. Italians, however, had troubles of their own, as they drew both their opening fixtures, against New Zealand and Paraguay. Both teams needed to re-group in order to overcome their opponents and grab the place in the second round. Slovakia showed a lot of improvement and commitment, while the Italians failed to do so, thus losing the match which resulted in a humiliating elimination from the World Cup in South Africa. Although the final score-line was 3-2, in favour of the Slovakians, the Italians never looked comfortable as they were always chasing the game.
Robert Vittek was the star performer for Slovakia in the game, as he scored twice in the 25th and the 73rd minute. Italians bounced back a little in the 81st minute, by a goal from Antonio Di Natale. The Slovakians, however, doubled the lead again in the 89th minute as Kamil Kapunek found himself on the score-sheet. The game went away from the Italians, and the last strike from Fabio Quagliarella did not help them at all. The Slovakians won the game, defeating the defending champions in a breath-taking finale to the Group F in South Africa.
In the other match, Paraguay needed a draw against New Zealand to top the group. Everyone expected them to win the match and gain confidence before going to the next round. However, the game was a boring affair and it ended in a goalless draw. Paraguayans, however, attacked the Kiwis for the most part of the game, and had plenty of opportunities to go ahead. The Kiwis, on the other hand, showed no real intent to win the match, and defended for the most part. Still, the Paraguayans did not look too threatening to the Kiwis, and there is nothing positive that they can take to the next round.
The results meant that Paraguay goes on top of Group F and would face the Japanese in the second round match. The Slovakians would face the mighty Netherlands, who look confident after the return of Robben in the squad. The Japanese would be seeing a real chance to proceed to the Quarter Finals, as their opponents have shown very little quality in the tournament so far. The Slovakians would have to reproduce their performance against Italy, in the second round, to proceed, although it seems quite unlikely.
The real shock in this group was the elimination of Italy, the defending champions. Although, there were not highly favoured to advance to yet another final, but it was not expected that they would not be able to go through to the group stage. To top the humiliation, the Italians were on the bottom of their Group, as they failed to pass the Kiwis. Only two points from three matches would send sparks in the Italian management, as the pride of the country has been compromised.
The surprise package from this Group was New Zealand. The Kiwis were expected to be one of the weakest sides in the tournament, but they emerge as unbeatable from their group matches. The Kiwis drew all three games in the tournament, and despite the elimination, would have some iota of pride in their performance at the World Cup in South Africa.
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