2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa: Paraguay vs. New Zealand - Half time 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 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, Paraguay won that match 3 goals to 2.
New Zealand need a win to qualify for the next round of the World Cup; however a draw could also do the job for them depending on the result between Italy and Slovakia. Whereas Paraguay would progressed even with a draw, again depending on the result from Italy vs. Slovakia.
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 the goal. New Zealand looked to respond with an attack of their own but the follow up shot was quite wide of 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 looked like 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 looked much more in control of the first half of the match as they dominated possession and played some quick passes around the Kiwi defense. The Paraguayan captain Denis Caniza had one of the best shots of the half and it was almost on target from around 20 yards out. New Zealand struggled to keep possession of the ball for more than one or two passes, which made it easy for Paraguay to control the tempo of the game throughout the first half. There was another effort towards the goal again by the Paraguayan captain at the 28th minute mark but the shot was wide of the target again.
Paraguay controlled the game for large periods and dictated the speed of play but failed to penetrate the New Zealand back three. Most of the Paraguayan efforts on the 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 with Paraguay. The Kiwis will be happier of the two sides, despite having less of the possession they have dealt with everything the Paraguayans have thrown at them so far.
Tags: