Fans Reaction to Italy Vs Paraguay
The World cup has got off to an inauspicious start for the reigning champions Italy as they struggle to a 1-1 draw against South Americans Paraguay in Cape Town in a Group F encounter of the 19th World cup.
The aging Italy squad was given a real run for their money by the South American who took the lead in the first half, and kept the Europeans on the back foot in most part of the match.
There were celebrations in the Paraguayan camp with their fans blowing the Vuvuzela and chanting slogans as passionate supporters of the South Americans gathered outside the stadium in Cape Town as they saw their team tame the world champions in a morale boosting performance.
Some of the spectators who missed out on getting inside the stadium watched the action under a makeshift structure near the stadium.
Some of the security fears of organizing a world class event in South Africa were heightened as the local police was asked to take over as security guards for the match after private stewards chose to stay away from the encounter after a pay dispute.
The pay dispute could not be solved amicably and caused violent clashes earlier in the day.
Later to avoid confusion a statement was released by the local organizing committee, clarifying that local police has been asked to step-in and handle stadium security until further notice at both Cape Town and Durban stadiums.
Earlier in the tournament stewards from Stallion Security Consortium were deployed at match venues.
Meanwhile the match played under biting cold, and persistent rain saw Paraguay score the first goal.
The goal spurred the fans back home in Asuncion, who were cheering for their compatriots while watching the game through bar windows.
Some of the fans also filed into a stadium to watch their team on a huge TV screen while many went to local restaurants, while the lazy ones preferred the comfort of their homes.
The fans celebrated the goal and thought that holding the mighty Europeans to a draw was an outstanding achievement on their part.
"At the start of the game we were just there. But then we started to show the Italians that we are the best and we are going to be the champions," said Paraguay fan, Pedro Gutierrez.
"We played really well. We played against the word champions… it is impossible," said another fan.
The most memorable moment of the match for them was the goal by defender Antolin Alcaraz in the 39th minute.
Paraguay fan Angek Barrientos was all praise for the defender who stole the limelight in the pulsating encounter, "Antolin Alvarez, who scored the goal is impressive because hardly anyone knew him, but really he has a lot of experience in Europe. He did well,"
Meanwhile the result against the Italians has given Paraguay a real hope of qualifying for the second round yet they still have work to do before they advance.
They have two relatively easy games against Slovakia and New Zealand, and would start as favourites both times; their next encounter is against Slovakia on June 20th.
For the time being though the fans of the football crazy South Americans want to enjoy their achievement as they plan to build on their opening success.
The sentiments of joy were expressed by all who follow the fortunes of the national team, and the feeling in the country was summed up by a passionate young fan, "It was really hard-fought. It could have gone either way. But we played really well. And we were playing against the last world champions. A draw seems fair to me."
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