2010 FIFA World Cup: New Zealand Faces Tough Contest in Last Group Match
New Zealand has so far defied expectations by remaining unbeaten in the World Cup, but considering the quality of the previous matches, it seems reasonable to assume that the third and final contest will test them to the limit.
Both previous results were a little on the lucky side. In the opening match against Slovakia they were trailing for a long time before a miraculous play at the last second provided the equalizing goal.
Then against an under strength Italian team, they were awarded a goal that should technically have been ruled offside, putting the Italians under pressure. Minutes later a false penalty was awarded to Italy so both teams got a goal that they did not deserve.
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By rights, however, New Zealand should never have been able to stand up against Italy. It's just that Italy, like France and England, is a team in disarray. Their standard has slipped considerably. It's not that New Zealand played well, but that Italy played poorly. I expect them to continue to do so in tonight's match against Slovakia.
So now, New Zealand face Paraguay. It will be a very difficult task to shut that team out of contention, and even more difficult to score against them. The only factor working in New Zealand's favor is that Paraguay tend to take slightly panic-stricken shots and suffer from a lack of accuracy as a consequence.
Stranger things have been seen at the 2010 FIFA World Cup thus far, so I am not saying it is impossible for New Zealand to win this—just extremely, agonizingly difficult.
To stay in contention, New Zealand must at least draw here and they must score at least one goal. Realistically, even if they can do that, they'll still be going home anyway. So the pressure is on New Zealand to win here, and I honestly don't think they are good enough to do that. Paraguay are in a much more comfortable position and they can just enjoy this game and pick New Zealand apart at their leisure.
Most likely result: Paraguay by one. Two if they are lucky.
