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World Cup 2010: Know Your Rivals - Group F Predictions
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Dec 28, 2009 9:52:00 PM
Welcome to Goal.com - Know Your Rivals for the World Cup 2010!
In this special series we bring you the local knowledge of the world's leading football tournament. With our worldwide team of experts, each one based in the country in question - from Brazil to North Korea - you'll hear first-hand the latest team news, exclusive interviews, and fan opinions of your World Cup opponents.
Stay on Goal.com for all the World Cup build-up from right across the planet, starting with predictions of all eight groups from the local experts...
GROUP F
How do the experts think that Group F will play out? Here we ask them for their thoughts on their teams' three games, in order of play.
Italy
With Sergio Chesi
Italy 1-1 Paraguay
The first game of the World Cup is always insidious, and Paraguay is a very good team. They are organised, enthusiastic and technically astute. It won't be an easy match for Italy. I imagine a very uncertain and balanced challenge, a draw is highly possible. The Azzurri are still World Champions, yes, but they seem to have lost their charisma and strength of four years ago. This kind of result would allow both teams to continue to hope for qualification to the next stage.
Italy 2-0 New Zealand
The technical gap is too big for any surprise. Italy will win this match but it might not be an easy victory. The Azzurri will remember very well last clash versus the All Whites, just before the 2009 Confederations Cup. It was an unexpectedly complicated game, which Lippi's team won 4-3 with many difficulties. For New Zealand players, it will be 'the match of a lifetime', an incredible chance to make history. They will probably lose, but with much honour. Italy won't score many goals, so 2-0 is a realistic result.
Italy 2-1 Slovakia
The last match of the group stage will probably be decisive. Italy will be favourites in this encounter. They are too strong and experienced for the Slovakian rookies. But Fabio Cannavaro and Co. must be careful: Slovakia has very interesting individualities. The Azzurri know Marek Hamsik very well, but Vladimir Weiss' men are very tough. It will be a clash with great tension and Italy will ensure qualification with a slim victory.
New Zealand
With Andre Zlotkowski
New Zealand 1-2 Slovakia
It will be interesting to see which team will adapt better to the altitude in Rustenburg. It is a must win match for both sides. Slovakia are making their debut as an independent nation, and it will be a big occasion for the New Zealand players as well. This could result in a nervy first half. Slovakia’s class will show in the end and I expect them to go 2-0 up before a late New Zealand onslaught.
Italy 2-0 New Zealand
New Zealand lost 4-3 to Italy in a friendly earlier in the year but the Nelspruit clash promises to be a very different affair. The New Zealand attack will struggle this time because of a more disciplined approach from the Azzurri. Italy will do just enough to win by a comfortable margin, as they often do against lesser teams, while the All Whites will consider 2-0 a very respectable result. This is not going to be an interesting match for the neutrals.
Paraguay 0-0 New Zealand
This will be another hard on the eye match for neutral spectators. Paraguay will probably go into this Polokwane fixture knowing that a draw will likely be enough to send them through to the next round, while New Zealand will be desperate to take something from this World Cup. A goalless draw and a MVP award to Ryan Nelsen will probably please most New Zealand fans who are well aware of the team’s limitations. It will give them hope that there might be something there to build on in the future.
Paraguay
With Ruben Dario Orue
Paraguay 0-0 Italy
It will be the key match of the group. A debut isn’t easy for anyone and Paraguay can take advantage of that. It will be an ugly match, with lots of fouls, several cards, and just a few chances. Both squads are very strong defensively and will win duels against each other's strikers.
Paraguay 2-0 Slovakia
The draw against the world champions will transmit confidence to the Paraguayan national team. Against Slovakia it will be a very even first half, with 'keeper Justo Villar being a key figure. But in second half Nelson Haedo Valdez and Salvador Cabanas will score for Paraguay.
Paraguay 3-1 New Zealand
A very different match than the other two. It will be an open game, with lots of goal scoring opportunities for Paraguay, facing a discouraged New Zealand team, with no chance to qualify for the next round. Cristian Riveros, Paulo Da Silva with his head and Salvador Cabanas will score for Paraguay and Rory Fallon for New Zealand.
Slovakia
New Zealand 0-1 Slovakia
This is simply a game that Slovakia has to win. If that doesn’t happen, they will be going home in the first round. It will be a tight game though as New Zealand will be excited about the World Cup and will give everything they have. If Slovakia are patient, then they will take the three points.
Slovakia 2-1 Paraguay
Slovakia are not very familiar with South American teams but it is better to play Paraguay than an African side. Paraguay are skilful but Slovakia are a well-organised team and hard to play against sometimes. Both teams will have chances in this game and it will be settled by a set piece or a penalty.
Italy 2-0 Slovakia
There is a chance that both teams will have qualified by the time this game rolls around so I think Slovakia will lose. It is good to be playing the Azzurri last as I am sure they will defeat both New Zealand and Paraguay and will be already through. If so and Slovakia still need points, then I think they can get a draw. Slovakia certainly don’t want to be preparing for Italy knowing that they need all three points.
In this special series we bring you the local knowledge of the world's leading football tournament. With our worldwide team of experts, each one based in the country in question - from Brazil to North Korea - you'll hear first-hand the latest team news, exclusive interviews, and fan opinions of your World Cup opponents.
Stay on Goal.com for all the World Cup build-up from right across the planet, starting with predictions of all eight groups from the local experts...
GROUP F
How do the experts think that Group F will play out? Here we ask them for their thoughts on their teams' three games, in order of play.
Italy
With Sergio Chesi
Italy 1-1 Paraguay
The first game of the World Cup is always insidious, and Paraguay is a very good team. They are organised, enthusiastic and technically astute. It won't be an easy match for Italy. I imagine a very uncertain and balanced challenge, a draw is highly possible. The Azzurri are still World Champions, yes, but they seem to have lost their charisma and strength of four years ago. This kind of result would allow both teams to continue to hope for qualification to the next stage.
Italy 2-0 New Zealand
The technical gap is too big for any surprise. Italy will win this match but it might not be an easy victory. The Azzurri will remember very well last clash versus the All Whites, just before the 2009 Confederations Cup. It was an unexpectedly complicated game, which Lippi's team won 4-3 with many difficulties. For New Zealand players, it will be 'the match of a lifetime', an incredible chance to make history. They will probably lose, but with much honour. Italy won't score many goals, so 2-0 is a realistic result.
Italy 2-1 Slovakia
The last match of the group stage will probably be decisive. Italy will be favourites in this encounter. They are too strong and experienced for the Slovakian rookies. But Fabio Cannavaro and Co. must be careful: Slovakia has very interesting individualities. The Azzurri know Marek Hamsik very well, but Vladimir Weiss' men are very tough. It will be a clash with great tension and Italy will ensure qualification with a slim victory.
New Zealand
With Andre Zlotkowski
New Zealand 1-2 Slovakia
It will be interesting to see which team will adapt better to the altitude in Rustenburg. It is a must win match for both sides. Slovakia are making their debut as an independent nation, and it will be a big occasion for the New Zealand players as well. This could result in a nervy first half. Slovakia’s class will show in the end and I expect them to go 2-0 up before a late New Zealand onslaught.
Italy 2-0 New Zealand
New Zealand lost 4-3 to Italy in a friendly earlier in the year but the Nelspruit clash promises to be a very different affair. The New Zealand attack will struggle this time because of a more disciplined approach from the Azzurri. Italy will do just enough to win by a comfortable margin, as they often do against lesser teams, while the All Whites will consider 2-0 a very respectable result. This is not going to be an interesting match for the neutrals.
Paraguay 0-0 New Zealand
This will be another hard on the eye match for neutral spectators. Paraguay will probably go into this Polokwane fixture knowing that a draw will likely be enough to send them through to the next round, while New Zealand will be desperate to take something from this World Cup. A goalless draw and a MVP award to Ryan Nelsen will probably please most New Zealand fans who are well aware of the team’s limitations. It will give them hope that there might be something there to build on in the future.
Paraguay
With Ruben Dario Orue
Paraguay 0-0 Italy
It will be the key match of the group. A debut isn’t easy for anyone and Paraguay can take advantage of that. It will be an ugly match, with lots of fouls, several cards, and just a few chances. Both squads are very strong defensively and will win duels against each other's strikers.
Paraguay 2-0 Slovakia
The draw against the world champions will transmit confidence to the Paraguayan national team. Against Slovakia it will be a very even first half, with 'keeper Justo Villar being a key figure. But in second half Nelson Haedo Valdez and Salvador Cabanas will score for Paraguay.
Paraguay 3-1 New Zealand
A very different match than the other two. It will be an open game, with lots of goal scoring opportunities for Paraguay, facing a discouraged New Zealand team, with no chance to qualify for the next round. Cristian Riveros, Paulo Da Silva with his head and Salvador Cabanas will score for Paraguay and Rory Fallon for New Zealand.
Slovakia
New Zealand 0-1 Slovakia
This is simply a game that Slovakia has to win. If that doesn’t happen, they will be going home in the first round. It will be a tight game though as New Zealand will be excited about the World Cup and will give everything they have. If Slovakia are patient, then they will take the three points.
Slovakia 2-1 Paraguay
Slovakia are not very familiar with South American teams but it is better to play Paraguay than an African side. Paraguay are skilful but Slovakia are a well-organised team and hard to play against sometimes. Both teams will have chances in this game and it will be settled by a set piece or a penalty.
Italy 2-0 Slovakia
There is a chance that both teams will have qualified by the time this game rolls around so I think Slovakia will lose. It is good to be playing the Azzurri last as I am sure they will defeat both New Zealand and Paraguay and will be already through. If so and Slovakia still need points, then I think they can get a draw. Slovakia certainly don’t want to be preparing for Italy knowing that they need all three points.
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
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