New Zealand and Paraguay could both advance

Group F is another one that’s wide open and the game between first place Paraguay and third place New Zealand at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on June 24 will go a long way in deciding who advances to the next stage. Paraguay leads with four points after an opening 1-1 draw with Italy and a 2-0 win over Slovakia. Italy and New Zealand are tied in second place with two points and identical goal scoring and goal difference records, while Slovakia sits in fourth spot with one point.

Paraguay is guaranteed to top the group with a win and will finish at least second place with a draw. However, if they lose, things could get a little worrisome for them. New Zealand can clinch a spot in the next round with a win and could go through with a draw if Italy draws Slovakia and New Zealand outscores the Italians. If they both draw and all of the tiebreaking procedures are level, then FIFA will draw lots to decide who finishes second.

New Zealand is in second place due to a last-minute draw with Slovakia in their opener and a 1-1 draw with reigning World cup champions Italy. New Zealand manager Ricki Herbert realizes the team may have peaked in the game against Italy as his team is ranked 78th in the world by FIFA while Italy is ranked number five. But the first two games have given New Zealand an enormous boost of confidence and they figure there’s no reason to stop now with Paraguay being viewed as a beatable team. Herbert added that anything’s possible at the World Cup and strange results have happened before.

However, Paraguay are just as determined to take the three points as the country has never made it as far as the quarterfinal stage in a World Cup tournament, and that’s their immediate goal. Striker Roque Santa Cruz said he’d like to be part of Paraguayan football history by making it that far, but added they can’t take New Zealand lightly as they’re on a roll right now.

Paraguay manager Gerardo Martino went on the attack against Slovakia after taking a more defensive approach when playing Italy. The team has an excellent trio of strikers in Santa Cruz, Nelson Haedo Valdez, and Lucas Barrios, and should take advantage of them. They also have Oscar Cardozo and Edgar Benitez in the squad as forwards. Martino said the first two results have been great for his players both spiritually and mentally and their attitudes are full of determination and confidence.

Odds and Predictions for New Zealand v Paraguay

Look for New Zealand to launch an aerial attack against Paraguay as they have been sending in long-range crosses so far in the tournament. New Zealand captain Ryan Nelsen stated his team is strong in the air and that might give the South Americans some problems in the box.

Paraguay and New Zealand have met only once before with the South Americans earning a 3-2 win.
New Zealand would do well to get a 1-1 draw here and hope that Italy draws 0-0. A draw pays quite well as you get +275 (3.75) at BetUS.

Paraguay is listed as heave favourites with Ladbrokes though with the odds of them winning listed at 47/100. A New Zealand win is posted at 29/4 and the odds of a draw are 3/1.

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