FOOTBALL Live

Thursday June 24, 2010 Group Stage: Group F Finished Peter Mokaba Stadium

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Paraguay

New Zealand

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  1. Paraguay send Kiwis home

    Paraguay send Kiwis home

    Paraguay finished top of Group F and ended unbeaten New Zealand's World Cup hopes after playing out a wretched 0-0 draw in Polokwane. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Paraguay
    • New Zealand
    • 90+3' ALL OVER! Paraguay are through. New Zealand are out.
    • 90+3' Italy 2-3 Slovakia in the other game. Almost over here.
    • 89' New Zealand clear again. Looks like it is going to be three draws for them.
    • 88' Heading for the final minute.
    • 87' Slovakia have made it 3-1 against Italy. They are through and it looks like Paraguay is going to join them.
    • 86' Wood offside for New Zealand as he tried to slide the ball in at the back post.
    • 85' Bertos hammers a ball into the box for New Zealand, but Paraguay deal with that well.
    • 84' Comes to nothing. Italy have had a goal ruled offside against Slovakia.
    • 83' Smeltz heads wide. Seven minutes to go in this one. Paraguay have another free-kick.
    • 82' A goal back for Italy. They need a draw, but trail 2-1.
    • 81' Header by Barrios floats wide.
    • 80' Last 10 minutes.
    • 79' Santa Cruz free-kick beaten out by Paston.
    • 78' Killen departs for Jeremy Brockie.
    • 77' Paston out to save at the feet of Santa Cruz.
    • 76' Rodriguez lets fly from distance, but that was never hitting the target.
    • 75' Paston makes a fine diving stop to deny Benitez. Barrios almost followed up, but New Zealand survive.
    • 74' New Zealand 34% of possession to 66% in favour of Paraguay.
    • 73' A GOAL FOR SLOVAKIA! Italy trail 2-0 to Slovakia.
    • 72' All to play for. One goal for New Zealand would hoist them to the top of the group. That is how tight this is in Group F.
    • 71' Floodlights coming on. Paraguay still the leading lights in the group. They are going through as winners at this stage.
    • 70' Heading for the final 20 minutes of a pretty wretched match.
    • 69' The New Zealand keeper Mark Paston has made only two saves. The Paraguay keeper Justo Villar has yet to make a save.
    • 68' Chris Wood comes on for Rory Fallon for New Zealand.
    • 67' Italy continue to trail 1-0. What a shock that result would be.
    • 66' Substitute Barrios with a bit of space. Good movement, but he hammers that wide and high with his right boot.
    • 65' Valdez makes way for Edgar Benitez, Lucas Barrios replaces Oscar Cardozo.
    • 64' Here come the subs for Paraguay.
    • 63' The South American are having 67% of time on the ball, but they are ponderous on the ball, failing to inject any pace into their attack.
    • 62' Think there is going to be a change or two here from Paraguay.
    • 61' Paston pulls off a fine diving stop to deny Riveros with the header. Caceres's shot is blocked by the black shirts in the box.
    • 60' Paraguay win their first corner of the match - the first corner of the match.
    • 59' Heading for the hour-mark. All very predictable.
    • 58' Caniza is the first Paraguay player to appear at four World Cup finals.
    • 57' Cardozo fails to hit the target with the deadball. Ends up high and into the crowd from 25 yards. Common story.
    • 56' Nelsen has been booked and will miss the second-round match if they progress.
    • 55' Free-kick to Paraguay. Foul by Nelsen on Roque Santa Cruz.
    • 54' Caniza winning his 99th cap for Paraguay in this match.
    • 53' Paraguay have had eight shots in goal. New Zealand only the two.
    • 52' South Africa may be out, but the fans of Bafana Bafana look like they're enjoying the occasion.
    • 51' Paraguay have never won their group in the final. Still in pole position to do that, but a goal for New Zealand could change everything.
    • 50' Borussia Dortund forward Valdez is foulded by Reid. Free-kick to Paraguay. New Zealand deal with that comfortably and the stalemate continues.
    • 49' Italy continue to trail in the other match.
    • 48' Best chance of the game for the Kiwis. Elliott shot past the right-hand post from Lochhead's pass.
    • 47' Let us hope this second period is a little bit more easier on the senses.
    • 46' We get underway for the second half.
    • 46' There goes the half-time whistle. Little of note happening in this match. Let us hope it picks up in the second period.
    • 45+1' A minute of injury time to be added.
    • 44' All the big boys were up for New Zealand, but Elliott's free-kick floats harmlessly past.
    • 43' New Zealand will be the happier side heading to half-time. They have dealt easily with everything Paraguay have mustered.
    • 42' Santa Cruz booked for stamping on Killen's foot.
    • 40' Denis Caniza becomes the first Paraguayan to feature in 12 World Cup matches. He is also the first Paraguayan to feature in four World Cup tournaments.
    • 39' Ryan Nelsen ushers the ball out of play with Cardozo in pursuit. The All Whites captain is a class act.
    • 38' Cardozo too keen to have a shot. Another mediocre effort from the Paraguay. The Benfica striker should be doing better.
    • 37' Paraguay enjoying 69% of time on the ball, but seem to be doing very little constructive with it. New Zealand's back three is working a treat out there.
    • 36' Italy continue to toil at Ellis Park. They remain a goal down.
    • 35' Bertos dinks a little cross in, but too near the keeper and Villar collects for Paraguay.
    • 34' Valdez shot from 30 yards is comfortably held by Paston. First half-decent shot on goal.
    • 33' Would be a stunning achievement if they managed to get out of this group, especially with Tasman rivals Australia dropping out last night.
    • 32' New Zealand remember are the world's 78th best team, according to the rankings.
    • 31' Killen challenging Caceres and the Paraguayan players are complaining. Looked little in that challenge.
    • 30' First half-hour. Pretty disappointing game. Few chances. Paraguay seem to be playing for a point. In no hurry to get forward.
    • 29' Foul by Reid on Santa Cruz, but no free-kick.
    • 28' That is the Paraguay captain's fourth shot on goal.
    • 27' Caniza tries his latest attempt from distance - over the bar.
    • 26' Still plenty of possession for Paraguay, but no penetration.
    • 25' New Zealand have won three of their past 17 matches, drawing five and losing nine. Not exactly a formidable record.
    • 24' A lot can happening over the next 70 minutes, but at the moment Italy are bottom of the group.
    • 23' BIG SHOCK IN THE OTHER GAME! Slovakia lead the world champions Italy 1-0.
    • 22' In the last three World Cup matches, Paraguay had a lead of 1-0 at half time, but they have a bit to do to score here. Not really threatening.
    • 21' Plenty of noise, but little or nothing happening on the park.
    • 20' Paraguay have had four shots on goal to New Zealand's one, but none have seriously tested either keeper.
    • 19' Cute play bu Santa Cruz enables Caniza to thump one in, but always spinning wide.
    • 18' Good run in the box by Killen, but Smeltz fails to pick him out.
    • 17' Caniza tries a speculative effort, but that booms wide of the target.
    • 16' The final ball has been too sloppy from Paraguay.
    • 15' Still 0-0 in the other group game. Follow Italy v Slovakia
    • 14' Paraguay have had 73% of possession, but are hardly pinning New Zealand back.
    • 13' Good header out by Fallon. Caniza tries the half-volley, but fails to hit the target.
    • 12' New Zealand will be happy with this start to the match. Killen catches Rodriguez late.
    • 11' Poor cross there by Valdez. Too much gas on it.
    • 10' Caceres will miss the next match if Paraguay progress. Killen can't get on the end of a free-kick.
    • 9' A booking for Caceres on Fallon. Cynical foul.
    • 8' Smeltz trying to win space out on the left flank, but he fails to control.
    • 7' Slowish opening to this match.
    • 6' Riveros tries to dash down a flank, but that ball has too much pace on it. Runs out for a goalkick to New Zealand.
    • 5' New Zealand have never kept a clean sheet at the World Cup.
    • 4' Shane Smeltz tries a shot for New Zealand, but well wide of the target.
    • 3' Morel bangs a free-kick into the Kiwi box, but Mark Paston takes that with ease. Good early touch for the young keeper.
    • 2' Huge incentive for Paraguay to win this game. The winner of the group will avoid Holland in the next round. New Zealand should be tough opposition.
    • 1' We are underway in the sunshine. Paraguay get us underway.
    • 14:55 Teams are coming out now. Polokwane is a three-hour trip in the car north of Johannesburg. Looks like a perfect day for this match. Should be a fascinating afternoon.
    • 14:50 New Zealand did not reach the second round in their only previous World Cup appearance (1982). The two draws in their first two matches are the first points earned by New Zealand in World Cup history.
    • 14:45 Paraguay are unbeaten in their last five final group matches in World Cup appearances, winning the last three in 1998, 2002 and 2006.
    • 14:40 Paraguay have met New Zealand once before. This was a friendly (Copa Centenario) match, played in Santiago (CHI) on 22 June 1995. Paraguay won 3-2 and the goal were scored by Jorge Campos (2) and José Cardozo for Paraguay, The New Zealand goals were scored by Chris Jackson and Carlos Gamarra (own goal).
    • 14:35 New Zealand start with an unchanged team, led by defender Ryan Nelsen and with Mark Paston keeping Glen Moss out in goal despite the former number one being eligible after suspension. Nelsen suffered from a minor stomach complaint and missed the team's final practice session. Five New Zealand players are on yellow cards and at risk of suspension should they pick up another caution but that is not expected to hold them back, given the country has already exceeded expectations in the tournament.
    • 14:30 Paraguay's Oscar Cardozo will lead the attack for Paraguay with striker Lucas Barrios moving to the bench. Roque Santa Cruz and Nelson Valdez form the rest of the strike force in a 4-3-3 formation. Defenders Denis Caniza and Julio Cesar Caceres make their debut in the World Cup in South Africa.
    • 14:25 The referee is Yuichi Nishimura of Japan.
    • 14:20 Teams: Paraguay: 1-Justo Villar; 4-Denis Caniza, 5-Julio Cesar Caceres, 14-Paulo Da Silva, 3-Claudio Morel, 13-Enrique Vera, 15-Victor Caceres, 16-Cristian Riveros, 9-Roque Santa Cruz, 18-Nelson Valdez, 7-Oscar Cardozo. New Zealand: 1-Mark Paston; 4-Winston Reid, 6-Ryan Nelsen, 5-Ivan Vicelich, 19-Tommy Smith, 3-Tony Lochhead, 11-Leo Bertos, 7-Simon Elliot, 10-Chris Killen, 14-Rory Fallon, 9-Shane Smeltz.
    • 14:15 New Zealand will qualify for the Last 16 if they beat Paraguay. They can also qualify by goals scored with a draw and a Italy versus Slovakia draw.
    • 14:10 Paraguay can also qualify by goal difference with a loss if Slovakia win.
    • 14:05 Paraguay need a win or draw to qualify for the last 16. However a defeat and a draw between Italy Slovakia is also enough for Paraguay.
    • 14:00 Good afternoon and welcome to today's live coverage of Paraguay v New Zealand.

  • Summary

    • 79' Santa Cruz free-kick beaten out by Paston.
    • 75' Paston makes a fine diving stop to deny Benitez. Barrios almost followed up, but New Zealand survive.
    • 61' Paston pulls off a fine diving stop to deny Riveros with the header. Caceres's shot is blocked by the black shirts in the box.
    • 48' Best chance of the game for the Kiwis. Elliott shot past the right-hand post from Lochhead's pass.
    • 34' Valdez shot from 30 yards is comfortably held by Paston. First half-decent shot on goal.

Team lineup & ratings

  • Lineup

    Live Team Line-Up

    • Starting line-up

      • J. Villar
      • D. Caniza
      • J. Cáceres
      • P. da Silva
      • C. Morel
      • V. Caceres Yellow Card
      • E. Vera
      • C. Riveros
      • R. Santa Cruz Yellow Card
      • N. Valdez Substitution Out (67′)
      • O. Cardozo Substitution Out (66′)

      Subs

      • C. Bonet
      • A. Bobadilla
      • E. Barreto
      • J. Santana
      • D. Verón
      • A. Torres
      • D. Barreto
      • E. Benitez Substitution In67′
      • N. Ortigoza
      • A. Alcaraz
      • L. Barrios Substitution In66′
      • R. Gamarra

    • Starting line-up

      • M. Paston
      • W. Reid
      • S. Elliott
      • R. Nelsen Yellow Card
      • I. Vicelich
      • T. Smith
      • C. Killen Substitution Out (79′)
      • S. Smeltz
      • L. Bertos
      • T. Lochhead
      • R. Fallon Substitution Out (69′)

      Subs

      • D. Mulligan
      • J. Christie
      • J. Brockie Substitution In79′
      • G. Moss
      • M. McGlinchey
      • B. Sigmund
      • C. Wood Substitution In69′
      • T. Brown
      • A. Boyens
      • A. Barron
      • J. Bannatyne
      • A. Clapham

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
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      Defenders
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      - -
      - -
      Midfielders
      Yellow Card - -
      - -
      - -
      Strikers
      Yellow Card - -
      Substitution Out67′ - -
      Substitution Out66′ - -
      Subs
      Substitution In67′ - -
      Substitution In66′ - -
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      - -
      Defenders
      - -
      - -
      Yellow Card - -
      - -
      - -
      Midfielders
      Substitution Out79′ - -
      - -
      - -
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      Strikers
      Substitution Out69′ - -
      Subs
      Substitution In79′ - -
      Substitution In69′ - -

Comment 18 - 37 of 37

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  1. Great run All Whites, the Nation is SO proud of you­
    Good luck Paraguay and Slovakia, NZ cheers you on

    From Joe, on Sat 26 Jun 3:05

  2. Roque Santa Cruz is a very attractive footballer, has­ anyone noticed too? :-)

    From , on Fri 25 Jun 14:12

  3. cribber....probably why they suck for the national­ team....dont know what its like not to get $$$ for a­ game.... ;)

    From GD, on Fri 25 Jun 10:28

  4. i think all the south americans are going to do well­ this world cup 2/3 in the semis at least

    From MARK, on Fri 25 Jun 9:29

  5. herbert the england players give all their match fees­ straight to charity they dont see any of it

    From cribber1989, on Fri 25 Jun 7:14

  6. Just want to say well done and bad luck to the­ Kiwi's. 3 draws, no losses is a very respectable­ tally. better than Italy, better than the French and,­ surely the one to bring most joy to Kiwi hearts, better­ than Australia.

    From mat h, on Fri 25 Jun 7:10

  7. new zealand going home undefeated for this world cup­ sounds much cooler for the team from the oceania group!

    From thierreyas, on Fri 25 Jun 6:49

  8. can new zealand go through if they draw???

    From Ajey, on Fri 25 Jun 6:48

  9. Come on All Whites. U can do it. Only one goal.

    From Sjs, on Fri 25 Jun 6:47

  10. cummon! Give 'em a bit of Kiwi!!

    From , on Fri 25 Jun 6:46

  11. come on new ealand you can do it

    From Tim, on Fri 25 Jun 6:39

  12. Go Kiwis! Just one goal.

    From I, on Fri 25 Jun 6:33

  13. paraguay u can do it, u can make it history

    From Raphael, on Fri 25 Jun 6:32

  14. ho hum, gonna watch the SLOVEKIA game now

    From Rex, on Fri 25 Jun 6:28

  15. Sort it out Yahoo

    From jameslunnonassoc, on Fri 25 Jun 6:27

  16. Cmon kiwis you have made football realise that big­ bucks dont always win. Keep playing the same and you­ will get through! Try teaching England how to play!!­ (from an England fan°

    From steadman_matthew, on Fri 25 Jun 6:27

  17. I think the Kiwi's have done a great job this world­ cup. They've certainly changed their game and are­ not the All Whites of old. Sure they're not on the­ money that the Euro teams are on, but that doesn't­ guarantee good football either! The African and Latin­ American teams have been fab to watch, long may it­ continue. As for England, someone must have kicked them­ hard and they need a bit more kicking. The USA have­ been good value too... good game, good game. Looking­ forward to the next round!

    From , on Fri 25 Jun 6:27

  18. Punker, How can you compare Paraguay with­ Argentina­ and Brazil ?
    Well, easily, in qualifying Paraguay­ finished five points above Argentina and a point behind­ Brazil and they beat both of them. So on their day they­ can be compared

    From Martin, on Fri 25 Jun 6:24

  19. gonna watch the SLOVEKIA game now

    From Rex, on Fri 25 Jun 6:22

  20. come on new zealand your can do this

    From Michael, on Fri 25 Jun 6:20
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