Paraguay too strong for Slovakia

Paraguay claimed the first 2010 FIFA World Cup™ victory by beating Slovakia 2-0 on Sunday in Mangaung/Bloemfontein. Top of the Group F table with four points – at least until Italy take on New Zealand later in the day – the Paraguayans got goals in either half at the Free State Stadium through Enrique Vera and Cristian Riveros.

The South Americans controlled the contest right from the start, and they might have opened their account in the early going when Roque Santa Cruz's shot took a tricky deflection towards goal but Slovakian goalkeeper Jan Mucha was up to the task, diving well to save in the top-right corner of his net. Riveros and Lucas Barrios then had good opportunities to confirm Paraguay's dominance. After 19 minutes Riveros had time and space for a shot from 20 yards out but his effort went straight at the keeper. Four minutes later Barrios blasted over after some fancy combination play with Vera.

Paraguay's breakthrough came after 27 minutes following a Slovakian give-away in defence. Paulo Da Silva strode forward menacingly and his pass split the defence to find Vera. With two defenders around him, the Ecuador-based midfielder finished coolly with the outside of his right boot around the despairing goalkeeper. At the other end, Slovakia's only real chance of note fell to Kornel Salata, who could not keep his free header down from a corner. Indeed Santa Cruz might have doubled the lead except for a fine kick-save by Mucha in the 39th minute.

With only one attempt on goal in the first half, Vladimir Weiss's side came out more aggressively in the second period, but Paraguay's organised back line contained them. The Europeans very rarely even threatened to equalise, and Vera should have claimed a second goal when Santa Cruz picked him out all alone in the area in the 72nd minute, but his header bounded wide to the goalkeeper's right.

Instead it fell to Riveros to settle the encounter four minutes from time with a curling left-footed shot from the edge of the area. Slovakia will now hope to resurrect their South Africa 2010 campaign against Italy at Johannesburg's Ellis Park on Thursday, while Gerardo Martino's Paraguay take on New Zealand at the same time in Polokwane.

slovakia versus paraguay

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Slovakia-Paraguay preview

Having both played out 1-1 draws in their opening games at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, Group F rivals Slovakia and Paraguay meet for the very first time on Sunday in a game that will have a major bearing on their futures in the competition.

The match
Slovakia-Paraguay, Group F, Free State Stadium, Mangaung/Bloemfontein, Sunday 20 June, 13.30

Both sides overcame some formidable opponents en route to the finals and will not be short of confidence going into this potentially decisive match. Moreover, each will know they would take a major stride towards the Round of 16 with victory here. A fast, technically accomplished Slovakia side came agonisingly close to kicking off their debut campaign with a win, leading New Zealand 1-0 entering injury time only for the Kiwis to grab a dramatic late equaliser. Their ability to put that disappointment behind them will be crucial to their chances of success against La Albirroja. As they showed against reigning world champions Italy in their first fixture, the battle-hardened South Americans will be no pushovers and will be looking to play the game at their own measured pace, bringing their considerable defensive and attacking strengths into play.

Players to watch
Marek Hamsik v Cristian Riveros

Much will hinge on the two playmakers. The 22-year-old Hamsik is coming on fast in the ultra-competitive environment of Serie A and has already proved he can direct operations for his country with aplomb, using his vision to bring his talented team-mates into play. The dynamic Riveros has a similarly crucial function to fulfil for Paraguay, drawing on his seemingly limitless reserves of energy to carry out vital defensive duties and also get forward to support the strikers.

The stat
3 – The number of positions that separate the two sides in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, adding weight to the coaches' predictions of a tight game. Paraguay lie 31st on 820 points, while Slovakia are 34th on 777 points.

What they say
"We're a little calmer now. The opening game was a very special moment and that's maybe why we were a little nervous. But this Sunday will be different. Hopefully we'll be able to play our best football and celebrate at the end," Marek Cech, Slovakia defender.

"They've got some quick players who are comfortable on the ball and know what they're doing. We need to be watchful and we need to concentrate right from the kick-off and not give the Slovakia strikers the chance to show their pace," Claudio Morel, Paraguay defender.

Voice of the fans
"It's going to be a very interesting match. I always say there are no easy games and the players will have to go and give their all on the pitch," CLAUDIAPAR, FIFA.com user.

Have your say
Which of these two sides has the best chance of reaching the last 16?  (fifa.com)