Paraguay in total control of this game but not really getting quality attempts on goal. NZ seems overwhelmed and content to try to score on a breakaway.
The entire ball must cross the line, memories of '66 final and the disputed to this day first goal in extra time that England got. To this day there is no definitive replay on that goal which won the W/C.
Roque Santa Cruz with a powerful free kick that is on frame but right toward New Zealand's keeper, Mark Paston. Output is now 14 shots for Paraguay to the All Whites' three.
Whelp, midnight struck and NZ is going home unbeaten. They wouldn't have deserved to win this match but still finish with a better World Cup result than Italy. Something for them to hang their hats on when they look back.
The South Americans easily hold on and should advance as the deserved winners of Group F. They absolutely dominated the Kiwis, taking 17 shots (four on goal) and possessing 66 percent of the ball. The All Whites attempted just four shots, none of which were on target.
Meanwhile, CONMEBOL continues to dominate the 2010 World Cup.
Through 13 matches, South American teams have yet to be beaten (10-0-3) and have won three groups. The two sides yet to play a third match (Chile and Brazil) are also in excellent position to advance.
Watching the replay of the NZ-Paraguay match now and through 40 minutes this was a pretty dang boring game. NZ dont even look like a threat to score and Paraguay seem like they were obviously content to get the nil-nil draw and advance.
Two days in a row of joyous results in the WC for me. I really wanted the Italy goal to be a good goal but disallowed. After all the cheating, the flopping, the histrionics and ******** they have dealt out they would deserve this. In fact, they would deserve more but that would suffice for now. They don't have one ounce of credibility to complain but I promise you that their fans are doing just that. They have gotten so many phantom calls at opportune times that chicanery had to be involved. I relish in their misery today and hope it lasts for quite some time. Ha, ha freaking ha you dirty cheaters (soccer, not the people in general...lovely country, great food, culture and more).
Interesting. I just read a message sent ten minutes ago from an Italian friend of mine who lives there. (not a transplant) He says he is happy with the result. "they don't merit consideration from football lovers", is his quote. From what he was saying, fans are tired of the ********, the cheating and realize that likely the rest of the world is too. I guess they want them to earn it. They being people in his mindset.
See, the people are not bad, just the players and I guess the organizing body that "rules" on things.
I agree. He does not root for the big 3 teams there either. His team is one of the ones victimized by the cheating scandals and the benefits the teams who did it got. So he is sort of bitter and disgusted. He also realizes that it is so deep and corrupt that maybe little can be done.
He's a good chap and good family man. I am sure he would be less than happy if this continued. You are right. He is actually supportive of the U.S. side and shared in the anguish of the Mali referee. In general I think most soccer fans did.