Paraguay and Japan were locked in a dull 0-0 stalemate today as they became the first two teams to fight it out in a penalty shootout in the South African World Cup.
The game itself had very little entertainment value with Japan seemingly setting out their stalls to get a draw in a game where such a result was not possibly. It was perhaps fitting then that this game went to penalties, providing the watching fans with some element of excitement.
With the noise of the vuvuzelas blasting around the stadium both teams scored their first two strikes in the shootout before Komano blasted his strike, and Japan’s third, against the bar after Riveros had converted Paraguay’s third. Honda cooly put Japan back on track but the damage had already been done and when Cardoza stepped up and converted for Paraguay he sent them through to their first World Cup Quarter Final.
Spain play Portugal in the last Final-16 game of the tournament to decide who will play Paraguay, then we have a break on Wednesday before the Quarter Finals kick off.
