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

No. Paraguay would go through on goal differential (+1 to -1) if both games ended 1-0.

 

61' 0-0 Paraguay press into the right corner, cleared out for the first corner kick of the game!

62' 0-0 Played short to box top right, sent in to 7m center at shoulder-height. #16 Cristian Riveros drills a whipping header, #1 Mark Pasto blocks it out. Comedy ensues: ball bounces just-behind a line of 3 Paraguay attackers at 14m, and all three swing and whiff. A couple of shots gets blocked in the scramble. Finally, Paraguay heads wide right.

 

Cardozo out Lucas in

Haedo out and Benitez in

Thank god maybe we can have some more firepower now

 

67 0-0 Paraguay have a good surge to box top, pass inside-out to lead #19 Lucas Barrios into the box to 14m 6-right, rolling away -- he selfishly blasts a shot across his body, without the "across" part, high and wide right.

 

As bad as we are playing it would be a damn shame if NZ went through instead of Paraguay.

Their not even playing just sitting back on defense and relying on counters and free kicks.

 

Ah, thanks.

 

Now it's +1 to 0, so if Slovakia gets a third, Paraguay could be out with a NZ goal.

 

77' 0-0 Great crowd shot of 3 Paraguay fans wearing the same fake beard, sideburns, and curly hair. After a couple of seconds, they notice themselves on the big screen, and mug for the world feed.

 

81' 0-0 Paraguay free kick from 27m 6-right (exactly 5 mowed stripes). #9 Roque Santa Cruz blasts it low with a bend, #1 Mark Paston sprawls and blocks it strongly way out to right touch. Paraguay right throw-in, cleared.

 

I believe NZ finish above Italy in the group, if results hold.

 

85' 0-0 Paraguay have had a boatload of half-chances, but they just don't look -- urgent. Contrast to USA's frenetic pace, and all the woodwork we hit.

Too much Señor It'd-Be-Nice Guy. This Paraguay team would wilt if they had a legit goal called back

 

90' 0-0 #10 Edgar Benítez dribbles at 15m right edge, cuts inside to split two defenders, and #3 Tony Lochhead leans into his path and obstructs him flat. Free kick played short, dangerous possesion at box top right -- but finally one pretty pass too many, and New Zealand intercept and clear.

90+2' 0-0 New Zealand counter up the left, win a throw-in. Send it into the box -- beg for a handball, no call. Paraguay clears.

 

NZ obviously came for the tie, why would they want a tie knowing they would probably need a win? Biggest antifootball I seen since Greece at the Euro.