World Cup 2010: Paraguay through after drab draw with New Zealand

Paraguay moved into the last 16 of the World Cup for the fourth time in their history after being held to an uneventful 0-0 draw by New Zealand. Paraguay knew a draw would suffice – regardless of the outcome of the other group game, between Italy and Slovakia – and neither team created many scoring chances despite displaying more urgency after the break following a turgid first half at Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Paraguay finished with five points in Group F, two more than New Zealand and one ahead of Slovakia, who secured second place and qualification with a 3-2 win over Italy.

Playing for the first time in the tournament in the black shirts so synonymous with the country's rugby team, Ricki Herbert's side began well against the South Americans. Shane Smeltz, who attained hero status when he scored in the 1-1 draw with Italy, blazed wildly over from outside the penalty area in the fifth minute.

New Zealand's gameplan, however, as it had been for their previous two matches, was to keep things tight at the back. Their five-man defence, marshalled by Blackburn's Ryan Nelsen, was supplemented by the holding midfielders Ivan Vicelich and Simon Elliott.

Much had been made about the All Whites' physicality before the match but it was Paraguay's Victor Cáceres who was first to be booked when he tripped Rory Fallon in the 10th minute – meaning he will miss the next match. Middlesbrough's Chris Killen almost reached Elliott's hanging free-kick at the far post but the cross was just a fraction too long.

When the space did open up for Paraguay, Nelson Haedo Valdez overhit his cross from the left while Denis Caniza followed suit with a volley after the Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz had lifted the ball over Tony Lochhead. Caniza's shot from 20 yards moments later was a lot closer as it swerved over the angle of crossbar and post.

It said a lot about New Zealand's tactics that the right-back Caniza was getting all the chances as his third effort in 10 minutes saw a dipping drive drop on to the roof of Mark Paston's net. The Benfica striker Oscar Cardozo also blasted over as Paraguay finished the half strongly.

Elliott shot wide from the best early chance of the second half as Paraguay dominated possession but failed to really threaten the New Zealand defence. The South Americans had several attempts from range, but Caniza shot wide twice, while Paston saved a low shot from Valdez.

Paraguay continued to press as the midfielder Cristian Riveros had his header saved by Paston as the second half wore on towards stalemate