Paraguay ousts Japan from the spot
Source: Agencies |
June 30, 2010, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
PARAGUAY beat Japan on penalties to move into the World Cup quarterfinals yesterday after the match finished in a goalless stalemate after extra time.
Japan's Yuichi Komano hit the crossbar with his team's third spot kick, the only one to miss in the first shootout of the finals.
Paraguay, which became the fourth South American team after Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, in the last eight, will now meet Spain or Portugal after holding its nerve to win the shootout 5-3.
The South Americans had enjoyed more possession during the 0-0 draw which had relatively few clear goal chances at either end.
A cagey opening brought few clear-cut chances but the game sparked to life in the 20th minute, Eiji Kawashima saving with his knee from Lucas Barrios, then Daisuke Matsui cracking the Paraguay crossbar with a curling 25-meters effort.
An out-of-sorts Honda had his first clear sight of goal in the 38th minute, striking the ball first time with the outside of his favored left foot just past the post.
Paraguay looked set to open the scoring 10 minutes into the second half when Edgar Benitez broke into the left side of the penalty area but his shot was deflected wide by Yuji Nakazawa.
Japan, which had torn Denmark apart in its final group game with some delightful free-flowing soccer, struggled to maintain possession in the second half and its trademark quick-fire counter-attacks fizzled in the final third.
With the score tied at 0-0 after 90 minutes, Japan made a bright start to extra time, Yoshito Okubo bearing down on the Paraguay defense with a surging run from deep in his own half.
Paraguay almost unlocked the Japanese defense seven minutes into extra time when Claudio Morel released substitute Valdez in the box but goalkeeper Kawashima got out smartly to block.
Paraguay's Edgar Barreto had his head in his hands moments later when the ball dropped to him in a crowded penalty area but he could do no better than flick the ball over the bar.
Japan's Yuichi Komano hit the crossbar with his team's third spot kick, the only one to miss in the first shootout of the finals.
Paraguay, which became the fourth South American team after Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, in the last eight, will now meet Spain or Portugal after holding its nerve to win the shootout 5-3.
The South Americans had enjoyed more possession during the 0-0 draw which had relatively few clear goal chances at either end.
A cagey opening brought few clear-cut chances but the game sparked to life in the 20th minute, Eiji Kawashima saving with his knee from Lucas Barrios, then Daisuke Matsui cracking the Paraguay crossbar with a curling 25-meters effort.
An out-of-sorts Honda had his first clear sight of goal in the 38th minute, striking the ball first time with the outside of his favored left foot just past the post.
Paraguay looked set to open the scoring 10 minutes into the second half when Edgar Benitez broke into the left side of the penalty area but his shot was deflected wide by Yuji Nakazawa.
Japan, which had torn Denmark apart in its final group game with some delightful free-flowing soccer, struggled to maintain possession in the second half and its trademark quick-fire counter-attacks fizzled in the final third.
With the score tied at 0-0 after 90 minutes, Japan made a bright start to extra time, Yoshito Okubo bearing down on the Paraguay defense with a surging run from deep in his own half.
Paraguay almost unlocked the Japanese defense seven minutes into extra time when Claudio Morel released substitute Valdez in the box but goalkeeper Kawashima got out smartly to block.
Paraguay's Edgar Barreto had his head in his hands moments later when the ball dropped to him in a crowded penalty area but he could do no better than flick the ball over the bar.
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