Phillip Buckley

What: FIFA 2010 World Cup
Who: Slovakia vs Paraguay (Group F)
When: Sunday 20th June, 2010, at 12:30 UK Time
Where: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa

Making Up for Embarrassment?

Slovakia, having been overshadowed by their more illustrious neighbours the Czech Republic, believed this was their World Cup to shine. Indeed, the Slovaks considered it beyond the realms of possibility that small, tiny, expected whipping boys New Zealand would trouble then. But the Kiwis did just that. New Zealand did not lie down. Slovakia were sloppy and far from their best. And the 1-1 draw could even have, whisper it quietly, flattered Slovakia.

The Eastern Europeans know improvement is needed, but it has to start with an assessment of what went wrong against New Zealand, an assessment that striker Erik Jendrisek has already called a "complex exercise". Defeat to Paraguay would leave Slovakia in real trouble, with Italy their last opponents. It’s now or never.

Paraguay Powering Through

Italy were poor as Paraguay’s first opponents, but that also had a lot to do with the plucky South American nation. Paraguay looked dangerous all night against the Italians and as such it was no surprise when they took the lead. While Italy enjoyed the lion’s share of the possession, it was Paraguay who stuck to their gameplan, frustrating the Azzurri. And up front the South Americans carry a constant threat, through forwards with invention and an eye for goal.

"We must improve on our possession and how we keep the ball", said Paraguay coach Gerado Martino. With such talented players, Martino is surely spot on and the battle for the midfield looks crucial.


Recent form

Slovakia:
Slovakia 1-1 Cameroon (29/05; Friendly)
Slovakia 3-0 Costa Rica (05/06; Friendly)
Slovakia 1-1 New Zealand (15/06; World Cup – Group F)

Paraguay:
Paraguay 2-2 Ivory Coast (30/05; Friendly)
Greece 0-2 Paraguay (02/06; Friendly)
Italy 1-1 Paraguay (14/06; World Cup – Group F)


Players to watch

Slovakia – Martin Skrtel: The Liverpool defender faced a race against time to prove his fitness for the World Cup, yet as soon as he stepped onto the pitch it was to play his part in conceding a goal to small New Zealand. Skrtel is better than he showed against the Kiwis though and with Paraguay sure to do their share of attacking, the strong defender will need to be at his best.

Paraguay – Lucas Barrios: A curious player for Paraguay. The Argentina-born striker has never played for a Paraguayan club, but qualified to represent the country through his mother. Prolific in Chilean football, Barrios earned a move to the German Bundesliga where he has continued to find the net. Should Barrios see any time at all on the pitch, then Slovakia will have to watch him like a hawk.


Match prediction

Slovakia will be driven by the desire to make good what they viewed as a terrible result against New Zealand and there is little doubt that they are a better side than the performance they put in. But Paraguay, having slugged it out with Italy, will see their last two group games as very winnable. There is more flair and natural talent within this Paraguay side and, with Slovakia a little off colour, the South Americans should be able to squeek the win.

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