Match 42: Paraguay - New Zealand :: PBP[R]

I'm waiting for Roque to have that big/breakout game. Hope today is that day.

 

Well with this lineup NZ just got a much better shot at pulling a surprise

-------------------------------Villar---------------------------

-----Bonet---------Da Silva--------Caceres------Morel-------

----------------Vera------Riveros--------V.Caceres-----------

--------Haedo----------Cardozo------Santa Cruz-------

Thanks Martino

 

10' 0-0 Surprisingly even. Paraguay hold the ball too lackadaisically at midfield, #14 Rory Fallon tracks back well and takes it right off his foot. Just as he spins-and-passes, #15 Victor Cáceres lunges poorly, and cleats both of his Achilles. Yellow card on Cáceres, and he misses Paraguay's octo (assuming they qualify) Free kick from 40m right, New Zealand curls it to the far post, bounces at 3m left post, too long by about 2m.

 

Cardozo is so fukin useless, Haedo actually made a great run and pass only for Cardozo to mess it up.

How he's starting over Lucas is beyond me.

 

I hate when referees slow the match down like this. Incredibly annoying. New Zealand using their physicality. If scores stay how they are there will be a drawing of lots!

 

Paraguay are dominating but can't find a way through...

 

Cuz Martino is a moron, if we lose this he needs to be fired ASAP.

 

19' 0-0 Paraguay cross from 20m wide left to #9 Roque Santa Cruz at 12m center, just behind the spot -- he executes a perfect chest trap that drops the ball at his feet in a 1-v-1. The 1 does well to stifle his shot -- backpass into box top arc, shot blocked off a Kiwi's back, out to #4 Denis Caniza at 20m mid-right, and he shanks his shot way high and right.

 

23' 0-0 Paraguay surge up the box right channel, pass inside-out to #13 Enrique Vera at 14m wide right. He carries down to 6m in the corner, but his entry pass is solidly blocked out by #19 Tommy Smith. Paraguay isn't looking sharp -- lots of nice build-up, but every foray looks like N-1 guys awake and one sleepwalker. New Zealand looks like they drank 22 Red Bulls in the tunnel ...

 

Why does Caniza keep taking these long shots instead of passing?

Dude your not gonna score.

 

30' 0-0 New Zealand gets a rare drive to box right foot. Cross is partially blocked by defender's leg, pops up high and drops to 1m center. #1 Justo Villar catches high as a couple of Kiwis rush in and exuberantly leap themselves into his net, just in case.

32' 0-0 New Zealand steal another poor pass inside Paraguay's half of the center circle, work up the right. Long cross to box top center, #10 Chris Killen leaps for it with left arm out for balance (and perfectly straight) as #15 Victor Cáceres also jumps, and Killen's forearm contacts Cáceres' head. Free kick to Paraguay on their own box top, no card.

 

According to the FIFA matchtracker, we just had the first shot on target at minute 35. I'm guessing this game is a major snoozer.

 

36' 0-0 New Zealand spring #11 Leo Bertos down the right sideline to 2m endline, floats a high cross to 1m center -- just short, #1 Justo Villar catches high, just in front of a rushing #14 Rory Fallon (who proceeds into the net).

38' 0-0 #7 Off a turnover, Óscar Cardozo carries quickly to 24m box arc top, and tries a -- lob? Sails waaaay over. Jabulani!

 

Well, if you wanted to see Portugal ping it all over and score 7, then yah, this game isn't like that. OTOH, given that Paraguay was strong throughout CONMEBOL qualifying, and New Zealand has the population of downtown Chicago, it's quite fascinating to see New Zealand's organized non-bunkering defense repeatedly stymie Paraguay's attack.

New Zealand's offense is much more primitive: endline, cross high, hope for traffic. But they're generating those, and Paraguay hasn't looked great in stopping them.

 

Seriously, did Martino really think Paraguay was already through the next round?

Starting subs and not even good ones at that, pathetic display he better do some major changes at the half.

 

If it stays like this.. Paraguay and Slovakia make it thru

 

HT 0-0! Right now, Paraguay (4+2) and Slovakia (4-1) lead the group. Paraguay would win the group with a draw (5+2), or qualify 2nd with up to a 2-goal loss (New Zealand => 5+2, Paraguay => 4=0).

 

48' 0-0 New Zealand drive down the left, cross back to #7 Simon Elliot at 21m left post, wide open in a huge hole. He touches forward to 19m, then shoots just high and wide of the upper left corner.

51' 0-0 Paraguay ping it side-to-side around midfield.

 

Come on Kiwis! All we are saying is give us a goal! (It would be utterly hilarious for me if a team featuring MLS reject Simon Elliott and a current Tampa Bay Rowdies player (Christie?) advances over the Azzurri.)

 

56' 0-0 Paraguay steal at midfield and surge up the box left channel. #9 Roque Santa Cruz passes diagonally to his 1 o'clock, then deliberately jumps to his 11 o'clock, and body-slams #6 Ryan Nelsen, who did not have his feet planted. Blocking foul on Nelson, yellow card, he misses the octo Free kick from 25m left post: Jabulani! (i.e. sails way you-know-where)

 

NZ has wayyy too many players on defense, I don't think we're ever gonna score.

 

Would a New Zealand goal put Paraguay out?