Group F - FIFA 2010 World Cup
If the next 2 matches end up in a draw [ with equal goals being scored in both the matches] , we will for the first time see lots being used to decide the second best team in this group that should move ahead to the next round.
- Paraguay : Classy. Good passes. Have that South American flair in their game. Good attacking game. Defended well to hold Cup holders, Italy to a draw in their first match. With the only team to have won a game in this group after 2 sets of matches in the first round, they are only one point away from qualifying to the next stage. They only need a draw in their game against New Zealand to make it to the Knockout stage.
- Italy : Defensive as ever. Buffon's absense might affect them. They had to fight hard to clinch a draw in their match against Paraguay. Looked rusty in the beginning. They were lucky to have not lost their match against New Zealand. They had tons of chances but could not convert a single one to fruition. With 2 draws in a row, they are now in a spot of bother as are England in Group B. They now need to win against Slovakia and hope that New Zealand lose to Paraguay.
- New Zealand : Surprise package of this group. Almost created an upset by drawing with Italy. Infact, they ruined their chance of beating Italy. They gave a great fight in the first match as well against Slovakia to pull back a last minute goal and draw the match. Their gritty defense has opened up this group. Virtually, any team can qualify from this group. They now need to win against Paraguay to qualify for the next round.
- Slovakia : Looked good most of the time in their first match against New Zealand. The last minute equalizer from New Zealand seems to have beaten their confidence. Their loss against Paraguay has left them virtually out of this World Cup. They have a mathematical chance of qualifying if they beat Italy and Paraguay beats New Zealand.
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| Matches in Group F |
The next set of matches in this group are nothing less than a knockout punch. All teams have a chance and will give their best. Hopefully, we dont see any rough games being played [ as in the other groups ] but rather see some great football being fought in the air.
Beautiful thriller matches !!!
ReplyDeleteItaly, the reigning World Cup champions have been knocked out in the first round of this year's World Cup !!!
Italy looked sluggish and tired. They certainly are getting old. The first half was very slow. Slovakia were very fast paced and this showed in their first 2 goals that they scored in the second half. It was only after these 2 goals that Italy started attacking. The match suddenly became thrilling after Italy scored back 2 goals in quick succession. But, Slovakia had the last laugh and Italy were knocked out of this World Cup !!! Another top European country biting the dust.
New Zealand should be kicking themselves for ruing their chances. They only needed a win and they could have qualified. Going by the fact that they dont even have a single football league back home, and that they have not lost a single match in this group [ they have drawn all their matches ], this in itself is a great achievement for them.
Paraguay drew with New Zealand and have topped this group to meet Japan from group E in the Knockout stage.
Slovakia are the second best team in this group and will meet Holland from Group E in the Knockout stage.