All Whites head home with pride

NEW ZEALAND’S World Cup fairytale came to an end in Polokwane after a goalless draw with Paraguay but they return home better for the experience.

In the end it was not All White on the night for Ricki Herbert’s side as Slovakia’s win over Italy meant the Europeans sneaked into second spot.

But New Zealand finished Group F unbeaten, having drawn with defending champions Italy and a talented Paraguay team who qualified ahead of Argentina in South America.

Their five-man defence, marshalled by Blackburn’s Ryan Nelsen, was supplemented by holding midfielders Ivan Vicelich and Simon Elliot sitting just a few yards in front.

It said a lot about New Zealand’s tactics that right-back Caniza was getting all the chances as he hit a 20-yard swerving shot over the angle of crossbar and post and then dropped a dipping drive onto the roof of Mark Paston’s net.

The last 10 minutes should have seen the charge of the All White Brigade but they had exerted so much energy in keeping Paraguay at bay there was little left in the tank.

PARAGUAY: Villar, Morel Rodriguez, Da Silva, Julio Caceres, Caniza, Vera, Victor Caceres, Riveros, Haedo Valdez (Benitez 66), Santa Cruz, Cardozo (Barrios 66).

Subs Not Used: Diego Barreto, Veron, Bonet, Edgar Barreto, Santana, Torres, Ortigoza, Alcaraz, Gamarra, Bobadilla.

NEW ZEALAND: Paston, Smith, Nelsen, Reid, Lochhead, Vicelich, Elliott, Bertos, Smeltz, Fallon (Wood 69), Killen (Brockie 79).

Subs Not Used: Moss, Sigmund, Brown, Barron, McGlinchey, Clapham, Mulligan, Boyens, Christie, Bannatyne.

Referee: Yuici Nishimura (Japan).