Enrique Vera of Paraguay(R) vies for the ball during the Group F first round match against Italy at 2010 FIFA World Cup at Green Point stadium in Cape Town, South Africa, on June 14, 2010. The match ended with 1-1 tie. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)
BEIJING, June 15 (Xinhuanet) -- All eyes were on the defending World Cup champion on Monday. Italy took on upset-minded Paraguay in what promised to be a tough defensive battle in Group F.
Paraguay displayed its defensive might early in the match. The South Americans kept the Italians out of the penalty area, and there was no score after 39 minutes.
Then, Paraguay struck fast on offense. Italy contested Paraguayan Aureliano Torres' free kick. Alcaraz rose above his defenders for the header. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon could not keep the ball out of the net. Paraguay celebrates a 1-0 lead.
The South Americans tried to keep their defense solid, but Italy finally broke through. Daniele De Rossi stuck out a foot to steer the ball into a near- empty net. Paraguayan keeper Justo Villar ran out to meet an Italian corner but he was overwhelmed by the Azzuri crashing the goal. The Italians pushed hard for the winner in the last 10 minutes, but couldn't find the net again. Paraguay and Italy draw at 1-1.
Marcello Lippi, Italy Coach, said, "I'm very satisfied with our performance, I'm very satisfied with the approach to the World Cup The first time they got near the goal they scored, then there was a good reaction from us and we equalised. But we created little danger for the amount of possession we had."
Geraedo Martino, Paraguay Coach, said, "We were very organized and we defended well in the second half. For us the most valuable thing is that we played well against the current world champions. It's a good result for us against an opponent like this. To play against such a rival with such quality skills is a good sign for us and it gives us a lot of confidence."
(Source: CCTV.com)
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