The All Whites’ fairytale run in soccer’s World Cup came to an end today with a 0-0 draw with Paraguay.
The match in Polokwane was a largely pedestrian affair before keeper Mark Paston was called on to make a series of late saves as Paraguay upped the tempo in search of the winner.
The result meant New Zealand will leave South Africa unbeaten, after earlier draws with Slovakia and defending champions Italy – a superb achievement that few would have predicted before the start of the event.
Paraguay needed only a point to get through to the last 16, while the All Whites had to grab their first-ever win at a World Cup to make sure, but they found it hard to create openings.
Instead, it was left to the other encounter in Group F to provide the big shock, with Italy, the four-time World Cup winners, being eliminated via a stunning 3-2 defeat.
The upshot was that Paraguay topped the group, with Slovakia also going into the knockout stages, but Italy suffered the ignominy of finishing bottom.
With Paraguay being the nominal home side at Peter Mokaba Stadium, the All Whites wore their alternate strip of all black.
Coach Ricki Herbert fielded an unchanged starting 11, with skipper Ryan Nelsen overcoming a stomach complaint to take the field.
Herbert’s opposite, Argentine Gerardo Martino, made two changes, giving skipper Denis Caniza and fellow defender Julio Cesar Caceres their first appearances of the tournament.
Paraguay had the lion’s share of the possession and Nelsen was again left to marshal a determined defensive effort by his team.
After a sedate opening to the first competitive encounter between the two countries, striker Shane Smeltz provided an early piece of encouragement for the All Whites when he cut past three defenders and fired wide.
However, it was to be New Zealand’s only shot of a dull first half.
Paraguay began to dominate possession, putting the All Whites under increasing pressure, but they struggled for fluency, although they produced some half chances.
Caniza, who is taking part in his fourth World Cup, showed a willingness to shoot on sight, but all three of his efforts in the opening spell were off target.
It took until the 35th minute before either goalkeeper had a save to make, and Paston had no problems dealing with a 20m shot from Nelson Valdez.
A minute later, the All Whites came close when Leo Bertos whipped in a cross that keeper Justo Villar gathered ahead of a fast arriving Chris Killen.
New Zealand tried to lift the pace early in the second half and midfielder Simon Elliott was just wide with a snap shot from the edge of the box.
However, that was a rare attack from New Zealand, who had Nelsen yellow carded in the 56th minute for an obstruction on former Blackburn team-mate Roque Santa Cruz.
The caution was Nelsen’s second of the tournament, which meant he would have missed the All Whites’ next match if they had stayed alive.
Oscar Cardozo’s attempt from the ensuing free kick, like so many at this World Cup, flew high above the target.
Six minutes later Paraguay almost got the breakthough goal.
Caniza flicked on a corner and Cristian Riveros’ glancing header was saved point blank by Paston.
Over the final quarter, Paston also denied substitute Edgar Benitez as well as Santa Cruz twice.
Smeltz had a late half chance, but put his glancing header wide under close marking.
