subject: Gianni Truvianni's "South Africa 2010", Reid's Last Minute Goal Gives New Zealand A Well Earned Draw Against Slovakia [print this page] Gianni Truvianni's "South Africa 2010", Reid's Last Minute Goal Gives New Zealand A Well Earned Draw Against Slovakia
In what turned out to be a game with not much action New Zealand managed to get their first world cup point. This coming thanks to a goal by defender Reid, who waited till literally the last minute of the match to give New Zealand the equalizer via a header from a Smelz cross. As for the match, it was one of Slovakia taking the initiative as can be expected but constantly being met be a solid New Zealand defense which finally conceded a goal five minutes in to the second half. This goal being scored by Slovakia's Vitek who like Reid, also scored on a header which came off a Stanslav Sestak cross which gave Slovakia a lead; they would hold on till almost the very end of the game.
New Zealand and Slovakia thanks to their draw 1-1 are now top of the group which they share with both Italy and Paraguay; who also have one point as well as the same goal difference. This making Sundays matches between New Zealand and Italy along with the one between Slovakia and Paraguay; vital to determine which two of these four teams should qualify.
I, for my part believe that it will be Paraguay and Italy who will go on to the next round yet Slovakia should not be counted out as in my opinion they have not yet shown all the qualities that allowed them to qualify to the world cup for the first time in their history. As for New Zealand, though they did loose to Italy last year; it can not be said that they were an easy team for the current world champions; who barely edged them out by a score of 4-3.
