Review: Day 10

 Group F     

     Paraguay   2-0   Slovakia

Paraguay are becoming of a surprise package at this World Cup. Their strict organisation and obvious passion has brought them to the summit of Group F with only a tie against supposed minnows New Zealand to come.

Goals in each half from Enrique Vera and Cristian Riveros gave the South Americans a much deserved win over a poor Slovakian team in Bloemfontein.  

Pre tournament the Paraguayans were written off as uninspiring, over physical and dull but such pre-conceived notions must now be dismissed. Gerardo Martino's side are clearly a superior version to the committed but dour representatives of 1998, 2002 and 2006, all of which were got progressively worse. 

Realistic quarter finalists were on view today and they are just another example of how Latin American sides are dominating this tournament. Between the five South American nations and Mexico, it is played 11, lost zero. 

Not only are Paraguay passionate about their countries cause, but they can play some good stuff too, as evident by the two goals they scored. Defending from the front is their strongest asset though, a feature of their game that lasts for 90 minutes. 

Slovakia can only dream of being in Paraguay's position. First tournament apprehension and inexperience has clearly overcome a side that can boast some of the most promising midfielders in Europe. Vladimir Weiss senior has gone with a safety first approach which has failed spectacularly, first against the All Whites and now in the second game. A win over Italy is their only hope of survival, and even that may not be enough.    

       Italy   1-1   New Zealand

Italy experienced their most embarrassing World Cup result since losing to North Korea in 1966, in Nelspruit on Sunday. Defeats to Ireland, Croatia and South Korea have occurred in the intervening years but this must be their lowest ebb in generations as the Azzurri are now on the brink of elimination at the group stage for the first time since 1974. 

The quality and unity of four years ago just doesn't seem to be there this time around. Marcelo Lippi's magic dust has had no effect thus far but a win over Slovakia on Thursday will see the Italians qualify for the second round for a likely clash with Holland.

Lippi's team don't look to have what it takes at this level. Players who are stars in Serie 'A' such as Daniele de Rossi, Riccardo Montolivo, Claudio Marchisio and Simone Pepe have underperformed in the first two games while strikers who score for fun at home, Alberto Gilardino, Toto di Natale and to a lesser extent Vincenzo Iaquinta have terrible international records. 

In Nelspruit today they were ineffective and rarely created a chance between them. The defence wasn't much better, especially for New Zealand's goal. All round there is no creativity or inspiration in the team and even a draw today was a touch fortunate.

De Rossi's dive brought about the equaliser from the penalty spot. Without that fortuitous goal their World Cup may already be over as Paraguay and the All Whites would only need to play out a draw in their final game. As it is, they should still live to fight another day.

New Zealand can therefore count themselves slightly unlucky but this is, of course, the finest result in their football history. The late draw with the Slovaks was a bonus in a group in which they were supposed to struggle but now qualification is a possibility, a situation beyond their wildest dreams. 

They actually played well, were well organised, were not intimidated by the World Champions and even took the game to them at times. A chance to win the game even arose late on but they shot just wide. Whatever happens on Thursday, it has been a successful World Cup.      

Group G

       Brazil   3-1   Ivory Coast

Brazil have joined Holland in the last 16 of the tournament after only two games following their eventful win over Cote d'Ivoire at Soccer City. 

A Luis Fabiano brace and a third from Manchester City reject Elano gave the Selecao a comfortable lead deep into the second half. Didier Drogba's clever header was no more than a deserved consolation for this team. 

The game was even enough for the first half. Both teams passed the ball around well. The Elephants counter attacked quickly and the Brazilians passed the ball around effectively without either ever creating any clear cut chances. Then Fabiano stormed into the box to hammer the ball past Boubacar Barry. 

It was Fabiano's second goal that saw the game descend into chaos. Two handballs were interspersed between his ball juggling in the lead up to volleying the ball home. The goal stood and frustration eventually boiled over. 

Two Ivorians should have been sent off for a couple of potential leg breaking tackles. Elano was forced to limp off two minutes after his goal but the damage could have been worse. The Africans started to play act as well in a last ditch attempt to get some samba boys sent off. The tactic finally worked. 

Kaka was sent off and looks set to miss the final game after two soft yellows that make Miroslav Klose look like an assassin. Kader Keita ran into the number 10 and fell to the ground clutching his face and appeared to also have a seizure. Kaka may miss the final game against Portugal, but he may have been rested anyway. 

The Elephants however, have made no friends from their performance and elimination looks imminent. They'll need Portugal to lose to Brazil, as well as racking up the goals themselves against North Korea. 

More importantly, Brazil look the part but there is room for improvement. Brazilian flamboyance has been infrequent but it will no doubt click with time.