Sunday June 20, 2010 Group Stage: Group F Finished Free State Stadium
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Paraguay too strong for Slovakia
Paraguay took control of World Cup Group F with an impressive 2-0 victory over Slovakia at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. More
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Live Commentary
Time:90'- Slovakia
- Paraguay
90+4' FULL-TIME! Paraguay take control of World Cup Group F with an impressive 2-0 victory over Slovakia at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
90+2' Villar is forced into his first save of the day as he tips Vittek's drive from 20 yards over the top.- 90+1' Four minutes added time.
- 90' Weiss has Slovakia's first goal attempt of the second-half and just their second of the match. Power but no direction.
- 89' While the runners-up have a far tougher date, the Netherlands.
- 88' The winners of this group are likely to face either Japan or Denmark in the last 16.
87' Vera replaced by Edgar Barreto.- 86' Da Silva and Cardozo almost got in each other's way in the area but when the ball fall to Riveros it was curtains for Slovakia.
85' GOAL PARAGUAY!! Riveros makes the game safe with a thunderous strike from 18 yards. Torres's free-kick falls to Da Silva who squares to the new Sunderland man who beats Mucha.
84' Weiss is booked either for dissent or it was a case of mistaken identity as he did not commit the foul on Torres.- 83' Miroslav Stoch replaces Salata - an attacking move for Slovakia.
- 82' Barrios replaced by Oscar Cardozo.
- 81' A change for Paraguay in store.
- 80' Match Image Riveros and Durica battle for the ball
- 79' A couple of neat pirouettes in his own half from Weiss but Slovakia have not mustered an attempt on goal in the second-half.
- 78' Just over 26,500 in the Free State Stadium.
- 77' A decent effort from Torres from 25 yards and not too far over the top.
- 76' Crucial tackle from Strba just as Vera was about to pull the trigger from 20 yards.
- 75' No side has managed to win a game at this World Cup after being behind at half-time, Slovakia have 15 minutes to change that.
- 74' Alcaraz needs treatment after falling heavily on his ankle.
- 73' At 31 years and 102 days, Vera is the second oldest Paraguay goalscorer at the World Cup. Jorge Campos was 31 years and 305 days when he netted against Slovenia in 2002.
- 72' Best moment of the second-half, one touch passing releases Santa Cruz down the left and his cross is met by Vera whose downward header is just past the post.
- 71' Holosko has recovered from a serious leg injury he sustained this season in a Champions League game for Besiktas against CSKA Moscow.
- 70' Now Slovakia make a change as Sestak is replaced by Filip Holosko.
- 69' Torres plays for San Lorenzo and is a left back or winger with a good long-distance shot and was an Olympic silver medallist in 2004.
- 68' The first change of the match as livewire Valdez is replaced by Aureliano Torres.
- 67' Anthony: "Marek Cech should have started the game."
- 66' Neither goalkeeper has been tested during the second-half, it's got a bit scrappy.
- 65' Vera's strike which separates the sides was the 50th goal at this World Cup.
- 64' The corner is just over the head of the flying Durica.
- 63' Durica charges forward and earns a corner. Slovakia lack natural width on the left.
- 62' Both Paraguay full-backs have been bombing forward but this time Morel's cross is out of play.
- 61' Alcaraz will be in the Premier League with Wigan next season.
- 60' Good turn by Vittek but he doesn't have the pace to get away from Alcaraz.
- 59' Bonet's cross reaches Santa Cruz at the back post but Skrtel turns away.
- 58' Much brighter from Slovakia.
- 57' Sestak's shot hits Hamsik in the penalty area after a cross from the right is only half-cleared.
- 56' Sestak's cross is blocked by Alcaraz after Paraguay gift possession away.
- 55' Captain Justo Villar is making his 75th appearance. He made his debut in March 1999. However, he has only played two World Cup matches.
- 54' Midfield shield Zdeno Strba makes a very rare run forward but the cross from the left runs through to Villar.
- 53' Match Image Vera scores
- 52' Weiss has looked sharper at the start of the second-half.
- 51' Sestak's early cross is just over the head of Vittek.
- 50' Valdez working hard to block Peter Pekarik's shot.
- 49' Morel's free-kick is flicked clear by Salata before a mis-kick from Alcaraz.
- 48' Sestak is booked for a hack at Riveros.
- 47' Should we expect more goals? Well seven of Paraguay's last nine wins have been by a 1-0 scoreline.
46' Neither side have made a change at half-time.- 45+1' HALF-TIME! And a thoroughly deserved lead for Paraguay.
- 45' Vera booked for a foul on Kozak.
- 44' Barrios reaches Vera's cross from the right but Valdez gets in his way and Skrtel clears.
- 43' Paraguay have been pressing and harassing Slovakia all over the pitch.
- 42' The first caution as Durica goes to ground and brings down Riveros.
- 41' Santa Cruz could have become the second Paraguayan, after Nelson Cuevas, to score in more than one World Cup there. Santa Cruz netted a World Cup goal against South Africa in 2002.
- 40' Vital save from Mucha with his outstretched right foot after Salata had been left short by a backpass and Vera had nipped in and fed Santa Cruz who failed to hit his shot with much power.
- 39' None of Slovakia’s last 47 international fixtures have ended goalless, a record dating back to 2005.
- 38' Free header for Salata right in the middle of goal 10 yards out but he can't keep it down. Decent chance.
- 37' Kozak's free-kick is headed away at the back post by Alcaraz and Durica forces Slovakia's first corner of the afternoon.
- 36' Sante Cruz gets to the by-line but his pull back is intercepted by Skrtel.
- 35' Vital stretch from Alcaraz to prevent Vittek getting in behind him.
- 34' A good early ball from the right but Vittek can't make contact.
- 33' Route one stuff almost causes problems. A long goal kick down the middle is flicked on and Barrios has a sight of goal only to be dispossessed by Skrtel.
- 32' Hamsik with the deep cross from the right but Weiss can't catch up the play to reach it.
- 31' No tempo in the Slovakia play.
- 30' The ball goes right under the boot of Salata and that sums up Slovakia's opening half hour.
- 29' Sestak chases a long ball down the right but it is pretty wayward.
- 28' Now the onus is on Slovakia to come out and attack.
- 27' GOAL PARAGUAY!! It was on the cards and it is Enrique Vera with a delightful finish. Barrios with a lovely reverse pass through the legs of Kornel Salata and the Atlas midfielder curls the ball with the outside of his boot past Mucha despite the attentions of the sliding Jan Durica.
- 26' Hamšík was crowned Slovakia’s Player of the Year in March. He succeeded Martin Škrtel.
- 25' We have seen barely anything of Marek Hamsik, Slovakia's playmaker.
- 24' Five shots to zero in favour of Paraguay.
- 23' Lovely turn from the lively Valdez but he drives wide from 25 yards.
- 22' Nice link-up between Enrique Vera and Barrios but the Borussia Dortmund forward blasts over.
- 21' Match Image Skrtel fights for the ball with Valdez
- 20' At the 2002 and 2006 World Cup, Paraguay lost their second group phase matches. Both opponents came from Europe (Sweden and Spain).
- 19' Riveros will be at Sunderland next season
- 18' Valdez away once again down the left and he pulls back to Cristian Riveros on the edge of the area, a powerful drive but straight at Mucha.
- 17' Morel swings over yet another free-kick and Paulo Da Silva is a whisker away from reaching it at the back post after Robert Vittek loses his man.
- 16' Slovakia's best move but Carlos Bonet tackles Stanislav Sestak fairly in the penalty area after a little sparkle from Vladimir Weiss.
- 15' Barrios received his Paraguay passport just a few weeks before the squads were being announced. In just three friendlies with Paraguay, Barrios scored three times. The striker did not score in the group match against Italy, the first time he was goalless in a match for Paraguay.
- 14' Nice flick over the top by Barrios but Slovakia clear.
- 13' Slovakia have only won once in their last five matches - 3-0 at home against Costa Rica - and look to have been set-up not to lose.
- 12' Paraguay dominating possession so far with Slovakia looking to hit them on the break.
- 11' Morel with another free-kick into the penalty area but eventually cleared by Jan Kozak.
- 10' Morel has just been released by Boca Juniors.
- 9' Valdez is fouled on the left which allows Claudio Morel to swing over a free-kick that is cleared by Skrtel who holds off Victor Caceres.
- 8' But he has scored 21 international goals and within the Paraguayan national team is chasing José Cardozo’s all-time record of 25.
- 7' Santa Cruz only started six Premier League games for Manchester City last season.
- 6' Santa Cruz's through ball is too strong for Valdez, playing on the left of a front three.
- 5' Nelson Valdez shoots on the turn but can't wrap his foot around the ball and it is well wide.
- 4' Roque Santa Cruz's shot from 20 yards taken a deflection off the thigh of Martin Skrtel and Jan Mucha does well to tip over.
- 3' Lucas Barrios whips over a cross from the right but there is no-one on the end of it.
- 2' Slovakia earned their first ever World Cup point after they drew 1-1 with New Zealand on Tuesday. Slovakia have now played two matches on African soil and have drawn both matches 1-1. Their first draw was in a friendly against Algeria on February 27, 2001. Szilárd Németh provided the Slovakian goal.
1' And we are underway! Probably the most empty seats we've seen at a stadium. The people of Bloemfontein not exactly inspired by the prospect.- 12:25 Today's referee is Eddy Maillet from Seychelles who was also in charge for the Honduras v Chile encounter.
- 12:20 This match features the world number 34 (Slovakia) against the number 31 (Paraguay) on the FIFA ranking.
- 12:15 La Albirroja have won only once in their last 14 matches against European opposition, that was in a pre World Cup friendly against Greece on June 2.
- 12:10 Slovakia are meeting a South American opponent for the eighth time and they have never previously recorded a win.
- 12:05 This is the first international encounter between Slovakia and Paraguay.
- 12:00 Grouchy Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss warmed up for the match with an irritable outburst at visiting media. "I would like to thank the Slovak journalists who are a lot better than the foreign ones," he said, ripping off his headphones after being asked if he respected Paraguay. "The atmosphere after the first match wasn't very good, it was quite sad I must say, because a goal in the very last second is a small sporting tragedy. But we have dealt with it," he added.
- 11:55 Paraguay see no reason to pay deference to Latin American giants Argentina and Brazil and they know they are carrying the dreams of their small nation. "The true motivation is to play and to defend the colours of our country," defender Claudio Morel told a news conference on the eve of the match. "I don't know if we are in the shadow of Argentina and Brazil but we are here to compete against these teams on an equal footing."
- 11:50 Slovakia and Paraguay each have one point after their opening matches along with world champions Italy and New Zealand, who play in Nelspruit later today.
- 11:45 Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss makes three changes to his side with defenders Marek Cech and Radoslav Zabavnik making way for Kornel Salata and Peter Pekarik. Erik Jendrisek is also replaced by creative midfielder Jan Kozak. Stanislav Sestak will partner Robert Vittek up front.
- 11:40 Fit-again Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz starts in attack. The lanky forward, who had been struggling with a muscle strain, comes into coach Gerardo Martino's side alongside strikers Lucas Barrios and Nelson Valdez. Midfielder Aureliano Torres drops to the bench.
- 11:35 Teams - Slovakia: 1-Jan Mucha; 2-Peter Pekarik, 3-Martin Skrtel, 16-Jan Durica, 6-Zdeno Strba, 7-Vladimir Weiss, 8-Jan Kozak, 21-Kornel Salata, 17-Marek Hamsik, 11-Robert Vittek, 9-Stanislav Sestak. /// Paraguay: 1-Justo Villar, 6-Carlos Bonet, 21-Antolin Alcaraz, 14-Paulo Da Silva, 3-Claudio Morel, 13-Enrique Vera, 15-Victor Caceres, 16-Cristian Riveros, 9-Roque Santa Cruz, 18-Nelson Valdez, 19-Lucas Barrios.
- 11:30 Paraguay hope to extend Latin America's great start to the World Cup as they face Slovakia at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
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Summary
- 90+2' Villar is forced into his first save of the day as he tips Vittek's drive from 20 yards over the top.
- 85' GOAL PARAGUAY!! Riveros makes the game safe with a thunderous strike from 18 yards. Torres's free-kick falls to Da Silva who squares to the new Sunderland man who beats Mucha.
- 77' A decent effort from Torres from 25 yards and not too far over the top.
- 72' Best moment of the second-half, one touch passing releases Santa Cruz down the left and his cross is met by Vera whose downward header is just past the post.
- 40' Vital save from Mucha with his outstretched right foot after Salata had been left short by a backpass and Vera had nipped in and fed Santa Cruz who failed to hit his shot with much power.
- 38' Free header for Salata right in the middle of goal 10 yards out but he can't keep it down. Decent chance.
- 27' GOAL PARAGUAY!! It was on the cards and it is Enrique Vera with a delightful finish. Barrios with a lovely reverse pass through the legs of Kornel Salata and the Atlas midfielder curls the ball with the outside of his boot past Mucha despite the attentions of the sliding Jan Durica.
- 23' Lovely turn from the lively Valdez but he drives wide from 25 yards.
- 22' Nice link-up between Enrique Vera and Barrios but the Borussia Dortmund forward blasts over.
- 18' Valdez away once again down the left and he pulls back to Cristian Riveros on the edge of the area, a powerful drive but straight at Mucha.
- 17' Morel swings over yet another free-kick and Paulo Da Silva is a whisker away from reaching it at the back post after Robert Vittek loses his man.
- 4' Roque Santa Cruz's shot from 20 yards taken a deflection off the thigh of Martin Skrtel and Jan Mucha does well to tip over.
- 11:35 Teams - Slovakia: 1-Jan Mucha; 2-Peter Pekarik, 3-Martin Skrtel, 16-Jan Durica, 6-Zdeno Strba, 7-Vladimir Weiss, 8-Jan Kozak, 21-Kornel Salata, 17-Marek Hamsik, 11-Robert Vittek, 9-Stanislav Sestak. /// Paraguay: 1-Justo Villar, 6-Carlos Bonet, 21-Antolin Alcaraz, 14-Paulo Da Silva, 3-Claudio Morel, 13-Enrique Vera, 15-Victor Caceres, 16-Cristian Riveros, 9-Roque Santa Cruz, 18-Nelson Valdez, 19-Lucas Barrios.
Team lineup & ratings
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Lineup
Live Team Line-Up
Starting line-up
- J. Mucha
- P. Pekarík
- M. Škrtel
- K. Saláta
- J. Durica
- Z. Štrba
- M. Hamšík
- V. Weiss
- J. Kozák
- S. Šesták
- R. Vittek
Subs
- M. Petráš
- R. Zabavník
- M. Cech
- D. Kuciak
- M. Jakubko
- F. Hološko
70′ - K. Kopúnek
- E. Jendrišek
- M. Stoch 83′
- J. Kucka
- M. Sapara
- D. Perniš
Starting line-up
- J. Villar
- C. Bonet
- P. da Silva
- A. Alcaraz
- C. Morel
- V. Caceres
- E. Vera
- C. Riveros
- R. Santa Cruz
- N. Valdez
- L. Barrios
Subs
- D. Caniza
- J. Cáceres
- A. Bobadilla
- E. Barreto 88′
- J. Santana
- D. Verón
- A. Torres 68′
- O. Cardozo 82′
- D. Barreto
- E. Benitez
- N. Ortigoza
- R. Gamarra
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Rate Players
italy are @#$% i think honduras would win 4-0 against the italians ha ha ha lol
Paulo da Silva & Christian Riveros - CONGRATULATIONS!
Stadium of Light fansHope Sunderlands new player Riveros gets a few more goals
Clear that the South Americans are in a class of their own-just take a look at the classifications so far, eight groups and South American countries top 5. Best european hope are the Dutch , goodnight sleep tight to the poor performing Italians, English, French, the cup is going home to South America
Paraguay you must destroy Kiwi.... a draw also can but very dangerous for Italia.. A win better than a draw. Paraguay win over Kiwi........ TQ..
Yey! Riveros Scored! Sunderlands new player
Slovakia you dissapoint me today u waste your results you drew with New Zealand now you lost to Paraguay now i dont know about this against Italy at Johannesburg Ellis Park if u win against Italy and also New Zealand Lose to Paraguay u will qualify for the last 16 and Marek Hamsik do well for fifa and Vladimir Weiss then u will get young player for fifa president
paraguay isnt in north america.lol
Italia & Paraguay will qualify for Last 16... for sure.........
What a disgrace: The stadium was only half full, what a shame..... all those people trying to get to see a match couldnt get tickets. Somebody should answer to that!
Slovakia were absoltely pathetic, how did it manage to head it's qualifying group? This is the weakest bunch of Europeans ever, Greece! France! Slovenia! England! Slovakia! And look at the non-Europeans, Algeria! Australia! and New Zealand! How did they all manage to qualify? Cameroon is the first country to go out and it was better than all of them!
Yes thay won just as i sad 0-2 for Paraguay
Congratulations on your somewhat un-Islamic flutter on Paraguay winning 2-0, Eng.Ibrahim. So do you think England will beat Slovenia?
great England won against slovLove, wonderfull goal from Rooney.
hi all
lagabag should have use martin instead of ayegbeni.
slovakia look like england when there playing like a cat in the headlights :)
Slovakia; Try heart & Soul;
Paraguay have the strength to thrash Slovakia and at one goal up there is no chance for the Slovaks!
Paraguay will not get past the second round. You read it here first.
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Man of the match
Nelson Valdez - Paraguay
Workaholic performance from the forward who impressed on the left-hand side of the front three.
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