World Cup preview: A look at Sunday's matches..
Group F: SLOVAKIA VS. PARAGUAY.
The Buzz.
By holding defending champion Italy to a draw in its first match, Paraguay improved its chances of advancing to the second round. But it still needs a good result here to make that happen. The South Americans could get a boost if Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz is able to start. Paraguay's best player, Santa Cruz played only the final 22 minutes against Italy because of injury but says he's fit now, meaning Coach Gerardo Martino will have to shuffle a front line of Nelson Valdez and Lucas Barrios, who played well against Italy. If Paraguay was buoyed by its opening tie, Slovakia's draw was deflating — especially because New Zealand's only goal came in the 93rd minute. "Conceding a goal in the last minute has changed everything," said Vladimir Weiss Jr., son of Slovakia's coach. "That was our big debut in the World Cup … and we'll do our level best to prevent the same thing from happening again." With Italy looming in the group final, Slovakia needs a win in this match and is expected to base its strategy on central defenders Martin Skrtel and Jan Durica and forward Stanislav Sestak and Robert Vittek.
— Kevin Baxter
Group F: ITALY VS. NEW ZEALAND.
The buzz:
Defending champion Italy is traditionally a slow starter at the World Cup, and this year is no exception; the Azzurri had to rally to earn a draw with Paraguay in their opener. But Italy can't afford a slip-up against lowly New Zealand, which is riding high after earning a tie with Slovakia on a goal in stoppage time. "[Beating Italy] would just totally change the landscape of the nation," said Kiwi striker Rory Fallon. With Gianluigi Buffon, one of the top three keepers in the world, sidelined with a back injury, Italy will be starting the inexperienced Federico Marchetti in goal, and that could be a problem against the tall Kiwis. "We know they are a very physical squad and good in the air," Marchetti said. Added defender Domenico Criscito: "We are not thinking about losing." Coach Marcello Lippi hasn't ruled out some changes to his lineup after the way forwards Alberto Gilardino and Vincenzo Iaquinta played in the opener. Winger Mauro Camoranesi could start today.
Group G: BRAZIL VS. IVORY COAST.
The Buzz:
Brazil is the World Cup favorite now that Spain has lost a game, but Coach Dunga believes his team will have a difficult time against the Ivory Coast. "We know we won't be able to create many scoring opportunities," he said. "We will need to be very efficient." The Selecao struggled but eventually overcame North Korea, 2-1, in its opener. The Brazilians are 5-0 in World Cup play against African teams, but this is the first time they have played the Ivory Coast. Sven-Goran Eriksson, the Elephants' Swedish coach, has been tight-lipped over whether striker Didier Drogba would start. "We will decide tomorrow," he said Saturday. "He has been practicing." Drogba, who broke his elbow in a warmup game against Japan on June 4, played a few minutes in the Ivory Coast's 0-0 tie with Portugal. He wore a protective cast on the elbow but did not seem comfortable.
— Grahame L. Jones
LA Times
Group F: SLOVAKIA VS. PARAGUAY.
The Buzz.
By holding defending champion Italy to a draw in its first match, Paraguay improved its chances of advancing to the second round. But it still needs a good result here to make that happen. The South Americans could get a boost if Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz is able to start. Paraguay's best player, Santa Cruz played only the final 22 minutes against Italy because of injury but says he's fit now, meaning Coach Gerardo Martino will have to shuffle a front line of Nelson Valdez and Lucas Barrios, who played well against Italy. If Paraguay was buoyed by its opening tie, Slovakia's draw was deflating — especially because New Zealand's only goal came in the 93rd minute. "Conceding a goal in the last minute has changed everything," said Vladimir Weiss Jr., son of Slovakia's coach. "That was our big debut in the World Cup … and we'll do our level best to prevent the same thing from happening again." With Italy looming in the group final, Slovakia needs a win in this match and is expected to base its strategy on central defenders Martin Skrtel and Jan Durica and forward Stanislav Sestak and Robert Vittek.
— Kevin Baxter
Group F: ITALY VS. NEW ZEALAND.
The buzz:
Defending champion Italy is traditionally a slow starter at the World Cup, and this year is no exception; the Azzurri had to rally to earn a draw with Paraguay in their opener. But Italy can't afford a slip-up against lowly New Zealand, which is riding high after earning a tie with Slovakia on a goal in stoppage time. "[Beating Italy] would just totally change the landscape of the nation," said Kiwi striker Rory Fallon. With Gianluigi Buffon, one of the top three keepers in the world, sidelined with a back injury, Italy will be starting the inexperienced Federico Marchetti in goal, and that could be a problem against the tall Kiwis. "We know they are a very physical squad and good in the air," Marchetti said. Added defender Domenico Criscito: "We are not thinking about losing." Coach Marcello Lippi hasn't ruled out some changes to his lineup after the way forwards Alberto Gilardino and Vincenzo Iaquinta played in the opener. Winger Mauro Camoranesi could start today.
Group G: BRAZIL VS. IVORY COAST.
The Buzz:
Brazil is the World Cup favorite now that Spain has lost a game, but Coach Dunga believes his team will have a difficult time against the Ivory Coast. "We know we won't be able to create many scoring opportunities," he said. "We will need to be very efficient." The Selecao struggled but eventually overcame North Korea, 2-1, in its opener. The Brazilians are 5-0 in World Cup play against African teams, but this is the first time they have played the Ivory Coast. Sven-Goran Eriksson, the Elephants' Swedish coach, has been tight-lipped over whether striker Didier Drogba would start. "We will decide tomorrow," he said Saturday. "He has been practicing." Drogba, who broke his elbow in a warmup game against Japan on June 4, played a few minutes in the Ivory Coast's 0-0 tie with Portugal. He wore a protective cast on the elbow but did not seem comfortable.
— Grahame L. Jones
LA Times
I will be going with ITA/NZL "both teams to score" --> No. -200
Heavy juice here (almost -200 now, I got -150), but I just don't see NZL score here. Italy with a clean sheet/ NZL Under 0.5 also is offered at -200, so both teams to score is the better bet here.
Italy with a new goalie, but shouldn't make much of a difference since he is battle tested in his league and NZL didn't really create scoring chances against Slovakia. NZL will play extremely defensive minded. Corner/Free kicks should be NZLs only scoring threats and I expect ITA to be solid in these situations.
I also will place a bet on over 4.5 cards (includes yellow and red cards) -117: The ref in that game (Batres Gonzalez from Guatemala) averages many cards: In 2009/2010 he totalled 6 yellow + 1 red in 1 CONCACAF champions league game, 16 yellow + 2 red cards in 3 games during the U17 youth world championships and 4 yellows and 1 red in his 1st game during this world cup.
Overall he totalled 25
+ 8(r) in 4 CONCACAF champions league games, 28 + 5(r) in 6 CONCACAF world cup qualification matches and averages well over 5 cards per game in every competition he refereed in.
Italy usually gets a couple of yellow cards due to their aggressive style of play and complaining. NZL should be prone to some cards because they will stand deep in their own half, what will create situation where they have to foul to prevent ITA from getting behind their defense.
The game should be more physical and emotional than the 1st game Gonzalez refereed (Algeria vs Slovenia), where he already totalled 5 cards (4y + 1 red).
Heavy juice here (almost -200 now, I got -150), but I just don't see NZL score here. Italy with a clean sheet/ NZL Under 0.5 also is offered at -200, so both teams to score is the better bet here.
Italy with a new goalie, but shouldn't make much of a difference since he is battle tested in his league and NZL didn't really create scoring chances against Slovakia. NZL will play extremely defensive minded. Corner/Free kicks should be NZLs only scoring threats and I expect ITA to be solid in these situations.
I also will place a bet on over 4.5 cards (includes yellow and red cards) -117: The ref in that game (Batres Gonzalez from Guatemala) averages many cards: In 2009/2010 he totalled 6 yellow + 1 red in 1 CONCACAF champions league game, 16 yellow + 2 red cards in 3 games during the U17 youth world championships and 4 yellows and 1 red in his 1st game during this world cup.
Overall he totalled 25
+ 8(r) in 4 CONCACAF champions league games, 28 + 5(r) in 6 CONCACAF world cup qualification matches and averages well over 5 cards per game in every competition he refereed in. Italy usually gets a couple of yellow cards due to their aggressive style of play and complaining. NZL should be prone to some cards because they will stand deep in their own half, what will create situation where they have to foul to prevent ITA from getting behind their defense.
The game should be more physical and emotional than the 1st game Gonzalez refereed (Algeria vs Slovenia), where he already totalled 5 cards (4y + 1 red).
1-1 as The Kiwis continue to surprise. NZ had one chance to win it late but a poorly aimed strike rolled weekly on the wrong side of the Italian post.
NELSPRUIT, South Africa (AP)—Defending champion Italy was held to a second 1-1 draw, this time by lowly New Zealand in the latest World Cup stunner.
The 78th-ranked All Whites took the lead after only seven minutes of Sunday’s Group F match, when Italy’s 36-year-old captain Fabio Cannavaro made a horrendous error, handing a goal to Shane Smeltz.
Riccardo Montolivo hit the goalpost for Italy in the 27th, then Vincenzo Iaquinta equalized two minutes later with a penalty kick. Tommy Smith was given a yellow card for tugging down Daniele De Rossi inside the area on a corner kick.
Paraguay leads the group with four points, Italy and New Zealand have two points each and Slovakia is last with one point.
Italy meets Slovakia in its final group match Thursday and New Zealand faces Paraguay.
wil.
NELSPRUIT, South Africa (AP)—Defending champion Italy was held to a second 1-1 draw, this time by lowly New Zealand in the latest World Cup stunner.
The 78th-ranked All Whites took the lead after only seven minutes of Sunday’s Group F match, when Italy’s 36-year-old captain Fabio Cannavaro made a horrendous error, handing a goal to Shane Smeltz.
Riccardo Montolivo hit the goalpost for Italy in the 27th, then Vincenzo Iaquinta equalized two minutes later with a penalty kick. Tommy Smith was given a yellow card for tugging down Daniele De Rossi inside the area on a corner kick.
Paraguay leads the group with four points, Italy and New Zealand have two points each and Slovakia is last with one point.
Italy meets Slovakia in its final group match Thursday and New Zealand faces Paraguay.
wil.
