Topics: FIFA World Cup, Paraguay, New Zealand, Group F
The Guaranies are ready to enter the round of 16 at the top of the group for a relatively easy match against Denmark or Japan.

There's only been one victory in this group, and for that reason Italy and New Zealand have equal chances of claiming their ticket for the next stage. The current world champion will be taking on Slovakia's rookies, while New Zealand will have to tear down the Guaranies by at least two goals to secure their ticket for the Round of Sixteen.


Stuck in the middle

Gerardo Martino has one of the strongest midfields in this competition, as Cristian Rivero, Enrique Vera and Victor Cáceres are performing at their highest, recovering most of the balls in the midfield and feeding Guarani's strikers with plenty of opportunities to score as well as keeping their rival's goalkeeper busy with mid distance shots.

 

 

Roque Santa Cruz is at the moment occupying the same position Diego Forlan has in Uruguay, as a battering ram to break whatever defense his team is facing, a perspective which would have completely change Paraguay's debut match against Italy if Manchester City's star would have been given an opportunity.

 

Martino has already declared he won't use the all-offensive trident (Lucas Barrios, Nelson Haedo Valdez and Roque Santa Cruz) unless the rival calls for this strategy, though it will be hard not to fall into temptation considering the possibilities of such formation. Paraguay is a single point away from qualification to the round of 16, but the All Whites have also mathematical chances shall they defeat the Guaranies. For that reason we expect an exciting clash for one of the toughest groups in this competition. 

 

 Two Albirroja's players were completely focused on the last match of the group stage. Paulo Da Silva declared "We're going for another victory. The top is in our hands and we won't let this opportunity go away", while Carlos Bonet added "We need to end at the first position no matter what it takes. It doesn't matter who will be facing after this". Four years of hard work and dedication have nourished a strong squad with what's needed to claim the first position of this group. Paraguay is solid in every square of the field, and such versatility is probably Tata Martino's main weapon in South Africa.

Against New Zealand Martino will probably favor the tallest players in his squad, as the Oceanians can be deadly on the aerial play. "New Zealand's main strength is the aerial play, in motion or from a free kick. They have powerful strikers" were his declarations. Antolin Alcaraz and Nelson Haedo's presence is yet unknown, for both of them have been training with a number of difficulties after last week's match. Enrique Vera and Victor Caceres will have to be careful for they've already been cautioned in this competition and another yellow card will sideline them for a weak, seriously weakening Albirroja's midfield.

Time to make things right

Much has changed since the last time the All-Whites performed in a World Championship. From their shameful participation in Spain 82 in which they received 12 goals and were sent back home in no time to this participation, in which no one has yet been able to defeat them and even Italy had a hard time against New Zealand. Unfortunately for Ricki Herbert, the last match of the group stage will have them take on the most dangerous squad in this stage, as the Guaranies have proven how deadly they can be and up to the moment New Zealand was never forced to stand against blows of such lethality. If Martino decides to go for an all-aggressive formation then the All Whites will have to find a way to recover the ball in the midfield and stop Paraguay's ball flow, or start packing their bags wondering the different ways things could have been.

Team's second captain Tim Brown might once again be missing the first minutes on the fields, as he's not yet fully recovered from an injury in his right shoulder. Without him Leo Bertos and Simon Elliot might be missing a reference player to lead the advance. Another draw might give New Zealand a ticket for the next stage, but only with some serious Slovak assistance. The Oceanics are on their own, and only a victory can take them to the upper levels of international football.