Paraguay win group as Kiwis bow out
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Paraguay topped 2010 FIFA World Cup Group F with five points after a goalless tie with New Zealand on Thursday.
World Cup debutants Slovakia stunned world champions Italy 3-2 in Johannesburg to follow Paraguay surviving the group with four points.
Before the game, Paraguay tied world champions Italy 1-1 and beat World Cup debutants Slovakia 2-0. New Zealand tied Slovakia 1-1 and drew Italy 1-1.
Both Paraguay and New Zealand did not create any good scoring chances. Paraguay looked superior, making 17 shots but only five were on target. New Zealand unleashed four shots, all off target.
In the 78th minute, Paraguay forward Edgar Benitez, a substitute, fired a shot from 12 yards, forcing Kiwis keeper Mark Paston to stretch to parry. However, Paraguay forward Lucas Barrios was bearing down on goal and Kiwis defender Tommy Smith just did enough to put him off.
The Kiwis didn't push forward until the final 10 minutes and never really looked like forcing anything from the game. They didn't possess enough quality but must be praised for their fantastic unbeaten World Cup run, which represents an incredible achievement for the minnows.
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