Paraguay 0 - 0 New Zealand

BBC

By Saj ChowdhuryParaguay secured their place in the second round of the World Cup after an uneventful draw against New Zealand ensured they finished top of Group F.

Gerardo Martino's South Americans will now face the runners-up of Group E, while Slovakia, who stunned world champions Italy 3-2 will face the winners of that group.

At the start of the 90 minutes, New Zealand, ranked 77 in the world, also had the chance of reaching the last 16 but wasted their golden opportunity by failing to trouble Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar even once in the match.

Shots on target could be counted one hand and the best of those came in the second half with Manchester City forward Roque Santa Cruz stinging the hands of All Whites keeper Mark Paston with a 25-yard free-kick.

The former Bradford and Walsall keeper also had to dive low to get a hand to substitute Edgar Benitez's goalbound drive and also push away a header from Cristian Riveros.

The New Zealand keeper probably welcomed the exercise after he was largely inactive in the first half, crouching down just once to prevent Nelson Valdez's 25-yard shot from trickling in.

Other opportunities fell to captain Denis Caniza, who went into the game with only one goal in 97 appearances for the national side. Unsurprisingly, only two of his four long-range efforts caused small concern for Paston.

New Zealand will rue not having made the most of their chance to cause a World Cup sensation.

But three draws from three matches and finishing one place above 2006 tournament winners Italy means the All Whites travel back east from Polokwane with both pride intact and reputation enhanced.