The FIFA World Cup Thread #1/Sports Sunday #1 For 6/20/10: South American Dominance Continues, As Paraguay Dominate Sleepless Slovakia

Photo from Getty Images and FIFA.com

The Final Analysis:
A perfect day for Paraguay, a nightmare day for Slovakia.

Just look at the stats in this match, and you will see the pure dominance in the final third for Paraguay:

5 shots on goal to one goal, and that didn't come for Slovakia until Vittek tested Villar into stoppage time of the 2nd half.

Great tactics today by Gerardo Martino once again, as he has been one of the clear managers of the tournament (and there hasn't been many of those here so far). Putting on Santa Cruz in this match along with Barrios and Valdez, and seeing how much trouble Slovakia had with three forwards against inferior talent level of New Zealand was the type of coaching that can make the difference for a team in this tournament.

Your players must execute those tactics though, and while Paraguay played their strategy out to almost perfection, the opposite could be said about Vladimir Weiss II and his son's woeful team today. Marik Hamsik after two games has been a massive disappointment in this tournament, and they got nothing today from neither their other midfielders or Sestak up front to try and facilitate Vittek. Finally, mistakes at the back, giving up too space, and just a lack of energy after the 1st goal was very disheartening to see.

Quite simply, Slovakia seemed to be on hangover for giving up the draw to New Zealand late. And they will now have to hope the Kiwis do the same to Italy today, or their World Cup with so many expectations could be in serious trouble.

No question, a deserving man of the match today from Vela:

The full review of Paraguay's clear dominance.

And the Full match archive:

Photo from Getty Images and FIFA.com

Lineups:

Slovakia: Mucha, Pekarik, Skrtel, Salata, Durica, Weiss, Hamsik, Sestak, Kozak, Vittek

Paraguay: Villar, Morel, Alcaraz, Da Silva, Bonet, Caceras, Riveros, Vera, Valdez, Santa Cruz, Lucas

Prediction:
This will be a fun open contest, as both teams have made some key changes from the last match. Slovakia have gone back to their original formation, and have Kozak sitting behind Vittek with Sestak on the right. Meanwhile, Santa Cruz is in instead with Barrios, so both teams will be going for it.

To me, this will be the match of the tournament, and I think it ends in a 2-2 draw.

1st Half Analysis:
Simply put, Hamsik has got to get involved in this match for Slovakia, just as much as Weiss was, who was obviously their best player.

Oh, and with forwards like Santa Cruz, Barrios, and Valdez, it's best not to make silly terrible back passes like you did that contributed to Vela's goal.