Final Score - WC2010 Group F, Paraguay vs New Zealand

Thursday 24th June 2010 - Peter Mokoba Stadium, Polokwane - Att. 34,850
Referee: Yuichi Nishimura (Japan)

LINEUPS:
Paraguay (442): Villar, Bonet, Morel, de Silva, Alcaraz, Caceres, Valdez (Caniza 89'), Vera, Barrios (Benetez 55'), Santa Cruz, Riveros (Barreto 78')
New Zealand (343): Paston, Reid, Smith, Nelson, Lochhead, Bertos, Elliot (Brown 79'), Vicelich (Mulligan 63'), Fallon, Smeltz, Killen

This match may not have had the action of the previous but it more than made up for it in intensity as Paraguay win the game but lose the war. The first half-hour had little to offer but a yellow card to New Zealand's Shane Smeltz would suspend him for the second round if his team made it out of the group. Another foul by the All Whites gave Paraguay the first chance of the game when Mark Paston charged out of his goalmouth and brought down Enrique Vera before converting the spot kick himself. Vera had intercepted a bad pass and dribbled his way into the area before the referee made his easy decision.

With more unimaginative but tense play New Zealand had the chance to equalise before halftime when Bertos placed a delightful chip over the defense for Rory Fallon who shot it straight at Villar. Paraguay needed another goal to finish above NZL on goal difference and nine minutes after the restart a reflex save from Paston stopped Barrios from scoring it on a fine free kick that the keeper saw very late.

The South American side kept up the pressure but were unable to really break down their opponents defence led by Ryan Nelson, and their next best chance came when Claudio Morel came up with a great run from defence before shooting it into the side netting. So, it ends 1-0 and the even GD of New Zealand barely gets them into an historic second round while Paraguay rue their missed chances throughout the group stage.

Paraguay 1 - 0 New Zealand
Goalscorers:
PAR Vera 31'

Discipline:
NZL Smeltz 18'
NZL Paston 30'
PAR Riveros 57'
NZL Smith 68'

Man of the Match:
NZL Ryan Nelson

GROUP F
Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Italy	3	1	2	0	2	1	+1	5
New Zealand	3	1	1	1	1	1	0	4
Paragauy	3	1	1	1	1	2	-1	4
Slovakia	3	1	0	2	3	3	0	3

Final Score - WC2010 Group F, Slovakia vs Italy

Thursday 24th June 2010 - Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg - Att. 53,412
Referee: Howard Webb (England)

LINEUPS:
Slovakia (451): Mucha, Pekarik (Sestak 84'), Zabavnik, Skrtel, Durica, Strba (Kozak  57'), Weiss (Sapara 45'), Hamsik, Vittek, Jendrisek, Stoch
Italy (451): Marchetti, Zambrotta, Criscito, Cannavaro (Maggio 59'), Chiellini, De Rossi (Polombo 59'), Montolivo, Marchiso, Gilardino (Bonucchi 84'), Iaquinta, Pepe

It was total domination for Italy in the first half and their two goals before halftime would be enough to see them into the second round. Slovakia were riding their luck early on as the Italians aim was off with Criscito and Iaquinta twice missing the target. In the middle of all this Slovakia countered and created a chance for Peter Pekarik, but his angled shot flew high over the bar.

The 34th minute came and with it the deadlock was broken. A poor punch from Mucha on Gilardino's cross fell to Vincenzo Iaquinta who squeezed it through the hands of the Slovak keeper for a 1-0 lead. Alberto Gilardino then wasted a great chance in the goalmouth before his mistimed header on Iaquinta's cross found the back of the net in stoppage time.

Slovakia got off to the best possible start in the second half when Vittek displayed some excpetional control before the ball was passed through to Miroslav Stoch who rounded Marchetti for an easy finish in the 54th minute. Moments later and it could have been 2-2 when Zambrotta's crossfield ball was intercepted allowing Stoch and Strba to break in on a panicking defence that did just enough to deflect Strba's shot for the first in a series of corners where Vittek forced a good save out of Marchetti.

Italy looked to close out the game towards the end but Pepe shot wide, Iaquinta hit the post and Chiellini was stopped by the legs of Jan Mucha.

Slovakia 1 - 2 Italy
Goalscorers:
ITA Iaquinta 34'
ITA Gilardino 45'
SVK Stoch 54'

Discipline:
ITA Criscito 39'
ITA Maggio 71'
ITA Marchisio 87'

Man of the Match:
Vincenzo Iaquinta

GROUP F
Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Italy	3	1	2	0	2	1	+1	5
New Zealand	2	1	1	0	1	0	+1	4
Paragauy	2	0	1	1	0	2	-2	1
Slovakia	3	1	0	2	3	3	0	3

Final Score - WC2010 Group F, Italy vs New Zealand

Sunday 20th June 2010 - Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit - Att. 38,229
Referee: Carlos Batres (Guatemala)

LINEUPS:
Italy (451): Marchetti, Zambrotta, Criscito, Cannavaro, Chiellini (Pirlo 45'), De Rossi (Gatusso 61'), Montolivo, Marchisio, Gilardino (Pazzini 84'), Iaquinta, Pepe
New Zealand (343): Paston, Reid, Smith, Nelson, Lochhead, Bertos, Elliot (Barron 90'), Vicelich (Clapham 74'), Fallon, Smeltz, Killen (Brockie 43')

New Zealand sit atop Group F after another impressive performance earned them a draw against Italy. The Italians started the more dangerous with Gilardino sending his 13th minute header goalbound but for a backtracking defender clearing the ball off the line. A long period of stalemate followed, eventually broken up by Smeltz getting onto the end of a Fallon ball, forcing a good save out of Marchetti. Chris Killen was a first half substitute for New Zealand but an update later in the day reported that his injury was not severe and he would return for the final group game. Chiellini was also taken off at the interval for precautionary reason.

After halftime it was the All Whites that dictated the early play as they split open the Italian defense; Marchetti again on his toes stopping Fallon. As time ran down Italy had more of the possession which led to chances for Iaquinta (head over) and Marchisio (saved), but they nearly stole all three points in an audacious chip from Pepe who very nearly caught Paston off guard.

Italy 0 - 0 New Zealand
Goalscorers:
None

Discipline:
NZL Smeltz 51'

Man of the Match:
NZL Ryan Nelson

GROUP F
Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
New Zealand	2	1	1	0	1	0	+1	4
Slovakia	2	1	0	1	2	1	+1	3
Italy	2	0	2	0	0	0	0	2
Paragauy	2	0	1	1	0	2	-2	1

Final Score - WC2010 Group F. Slovakia vs Paraguay

Sunday 20th June 2010 - Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein - Att. 26,643
Referee: Eddy Maillet (Seychelles)

LINEUPS:
Slovakia (451): Mucha, Pekarik, Zabavnik, Skrtel, Durica, Strba, Kucka, Kopunek, Vittek (Holosko 64'), Jendrisek (Cech 71'), Stoch
Paraguay (442): Willar, Bonet, Morel (Veron 61'), da Silva, Alcaraz, Caceres, Valdez (Santana 79'), Vera, Barrios (Gamarra 61'), Santa Cruz, Riveros

Slovakia entered this game with a slightly different look in midfield. Kamil Kopunek comes in for the suspended Hamsik, and an injury to Vladimir Weiss gives Kucka a chance to start. The game had few goalscoring chances and this was partly down to a lot of stoppages including eight yellow cards in a match that started rough and continued throughout the ninety minutes.

Victor Caceres earned the first booking by jumping into a tackle only seconds after the match kicked off, but Slovakia scored the first goal when Kopunek and Stoch showed good aerial prowess that split the defense for Erik Jendrisek to slot home. Paraguay had the chance to equalise before halftime  when a hard, but this time fair tackle, started an attack, ultimately ending on the foot of Barrios who scuffed his shot straight at the goalie.

The second half was even less of an exciting spectacle that thankfully did came to an end after four more yellow cards and a penalty kick that cemented the win for Slovakia. Kamil Kopanek was involved again, this time intercepting a pass before sending substitute Holosko in behind the defense. He was bundled to the ground and up stepped Miroslav Stoch to bang it home just off the post.

Slovakia 2 - 0 Paraguay
Goalscorers:
SVK Jendrisek 21'
SVK Stoch 89'

Discipline:
PAR Caceres 1'
PAR Riveros 7'
SVK Vittek 28'
PAR Morel 38'
SVK Durica 49'
SVK Jendrisek 60'
SVK Stoch 78'
PAR Santa Cruz 88'

Man of the Match:
SVK Kamil Kopunek

GROUP F
Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Slovakia	2	1	0	1	2	1	+1	3
New Zealand	1	1	0	0	1	0	+1	3
Italy	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	1
Paragauy	2	0	1	1	0	2	-2	1

Final Score - WC2010 Group F, New Zealand vs Slovakia

Tuesday 15th June 2010 - Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg. Att: 23,871
Referee: Jerome Damon (South Africa)

LINEUPS:
New Zealand (343): Paston, Reid, Smith, Nelson, Lochhead, Bertos, Elliot (Brown 78'), Vicelich, Fallon (Wood 61'), Smeltz (Brockie (69'), Killen
Slovakia (451): Mucha, Pekarik, Zabavnik, Skrtel, Durica, Strba (Kozak 71'), Weiss (Sapara 85'), Hamsik, Vittek, Jendrisek (Kucka 55'), Stoch

This game of two halves revolved around five minutes early in the second half when Marek Hamsik picked up two yellow cards and was given his marching orders. Throughout the first forty-five minutes his Slovakian side was controlling the game and generating chances. Mark Paston was sharp however, smartly stopping a pair of Vladimir Weiss shots.

After the sending off Slovakia had to reshuffle their midfield who dictated so much of the earlier play allowing the All Whites to finally get on the front foot. Yet they had to wait until the final ten minutes for real goalscoring opportunities when first Vicelich and then Wood had their shots saved and deflected.

With the referee checking his watch ready to blow for the match New Zealand won a corner. Leo Bertos, who was the lone spark in their midfield, received the ball on a short play and crossed it hard through the goalmouth where substitute Jeremy Brockie was standing on the far post to score and give his side an historic first ever World Cup win and putting them on top of Group F.

New Zealand 1 - 0 Slovakia
Goalscorers:
NZL Brockie 90'

Discipline:
SVK Hamsik 48'
SVK Hamsik 53' (Off)

Man of the Match:
NZL Leo Bertos

GROUP F
Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
New Zealand	1	1	0	0	1	0	+1	3
Italy	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	1
Paragauy	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	1
Slovakia	1	0	0	1	0	1	-1	0

Final Score - WC2010 Group F, Italy vs Paraguay

Monday 14th June 2010 - Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town. Att: 62,869
Referee: Benito Archundia (Mexico)

LINEUPS:
Italy (451): Marchetti, Zambrotta, Criscito, Cannavarro, Chiallini (Gattuso 66'), De Rossi, Montelivo, Marchisio, Gilardino, Iaquinta, Pepe (Di Natale 66')
Paraguay (442): Villar, Bonet, Morel, da Silva, Alcarez, Caceres, Valdez, Vera (Ortigoza 73'), Barrios (Cardozo 60'), Santa Cruz (Gamarra 82'), Riveros

The Italian midfield bossed this match without generating many chances as Paraguay stood resolute in defense, led as they were by Claudio Morel. Claduio Marchisio was dominant throughout the ninety minutes, displaying good control and strong tackling, and it was himself along with Montelivo that dictated much of the play.

Marchisio had a great chance to score himself in the 13th minute when Gianluca Zambrotta, who himself had just sent a shot into the side netting, crossed for the midfield maestro six yards out only to see his header stopped on the goal line. After this Paraguay found their rhythm at the back and looked to smother the game, breaking for a chance if they could. And their best chance of the match came late in the opening half when Vera and Riveros played some nice football out on the wing before a pullback to Paulo da Silva, who had remained forward after a failed set piece, and his shot deflected kindly for Marchetti to save.

Italy came out firing on all cylinders in the second half with Gilardino shooting at the keeper, and Di Natale squeezing his shot through a crowd only to be saved.  These two attacking players would have more chances in the latter stages of the match when, after a fine team move, Iaquinta played in Gilardino one-on-one only to see him fluff his lines and Di Natale scoop the rebound high over the bar.

Italy 0 - 0 Paraguay
Goalscorers:
None

Discipline:
ITA De Rossi 31'
PAR Vera 55'

Man of the Match:
ITA Claudio Marchisio

GROUP F
Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Italy	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	1
Paragauy	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	1
New Zealand	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Slovakia	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0