Gerardo Martino's team was to be considered seriously from the first moment and the debut match against Italy showed the Albirroja squad was truly fearsome. But this victory has shown a team unable to interact properly, with frequent defensive mistakes and little to do against their rival's goal. Slovakia could never worry Justo Villar between the posts, unable to fight for this six-pointer that has left Paraguay at the doorsteps of qualification.
No country for old man
With problems in both ends of the field, Paraguay's midfield has shown the reason why the Guaranies are at the top of Group F: Juan Caceres and Cristian Riveros were impassable during the whole match, and from their finesse came most of the attempts for the Guaranies to taste the net. Antolin Alcaraz was constantly advancing from the bands, but it was Enrique Vera the one to lead the offense, thanks to his natural speed and wits in hand-to-hand situations. Aimless in the last meters, he did manage to score the opening goal on minute 26.
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Team's coach was happy with the results and the performance of his players, and in a Cartesian way he said "Paraguay dominated the match in all its extension". Lucas Barrios has once again disappointed the crowds without a taste from the net, but from his assistance came Vera's goal, so the Argentinean born striker entered into a state of karmic balance.
Paraguay's heavy offensive weights (For this match Roque Santa Cruz, Nelson Haedo Valdez and Lucas Barrios were finally together in an official match) were supposed to lean the game in their favor from the first minute. The two goals came finally from experienced gunners in the midfield. Cristian Riveros has already known what glory is all about with Liga de Quito, claiming 2008's Libertadores Cup as well as 2009's South American Cup and Recopa. It is yet unknown which formation will Martino choose for the final match of this stage, as the two midfielders should have gained their place without a single doubt; With three offensive beasts fully recovered it will be difficult not to give in to the temptation of going for a manslaughter against New Zealand early next week.
Vladimir Weiss' players had little to do against Paraguay, as with Marek Hamsik's not so memorable performance (daring to exploit the opportunities to break the Paraguayan defense, but finally gifting the ball to their rivals) the rest of the Slovak squad had no way to communicate with each other, giving more and more space for Paraguay, who could finally score again in the last five minutes thanks to Cristian Rivero's furious shot, sealing an expected South American victory on African ground.
What to expect for the next match
Slovakia is going through a rough World Cup initiation in South Africa, and a tough match against Italy is waiting ahead. Marcelo Lippi's squad is weakened by its lack of results and might suffer against the Eastern squad. "They've played much better than us. This match was decisive, but unluckily we're left empty-handed. They played much faster and beat us in every hand to hand" were Slovakia's coach humble declarations.
With only one match waiting ahead, these last days of training will be decisive for both teams to claim their place within World's best sixteen. Paraguay is the favorite, but if both teams win their next match, the first two position will be theirs. Is Italy to be sent back home in the first round?
