World Cup preview: A look at Sunday’s matches
Group F: SLOVAKIA VS. PARAGUAY
Where: Bloemfontein. Time: 4:30 a.m. PDT.
TV: ESPN, ESPN Deportes, Univision. Radio: Sirius/XM, KLYY-FM 97.5, KDLD-FM/KDLE-FM 103.1.
The buzz: By holding defending champion Italy to a draw in its first match, Paraguay improved its chances of advancing to the second round. But it still needs a good result here to make that happen. The South Americans could get a boost if Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz is able to start. Paraguay’s best player, Santa Cruz played only the final 22 minutes against Italy because of injury but says he’s fit now, meaning Coach Gerardo Martino will have to shuffle a front line of Nelson Valdez and Lucas Barrios, who played well against Italy. If Paraguay was buoyed by its opening tie, Slovakia’s draw was deflating — especially because New Zealand’s only goal came in the 93rd minute. “Conceding a goal in the last minute has changed everything,” said Vladimir Weiss Jr., son of Slovakia’s coach. “That was our big debut in the World Cup … and we’ll do our level best to prevent the same thing from happening again.” With Italy looming in the group final, Slovakia needs a win in this match and is expected to base its strategy on central defenders Martin Skrtel and Jan Durica and forward Stanislav Sestak and Robert Vittek.
— Kevin Baxter
Group F: ITALY VS. NEW ZEALAND
Where: Nelspruit. Time: 7 a.m. PDT.
TV: ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, Univision. Radio: Sirius/XM, KLYY-FM 97.5, KDLD-FM/KDLE-FM 103.1, KSPN-AM 710.
The buzz: Defending champion Italy is traditionally a slow starter at the World Cup, and this year is no exception; the Azzurri had to rally to earn a draw with Paraguay in their opener. But Italy can’t afford a slip-up against lowly New Zealand, which is riding high after earning a tie with Slovakia on a goal in stoppage time. “[Beating Italy] would just totally change the landscape of the nation,” said Kiwi striker Rory Fallon. With Gianluigi Buffon, one of the top three keepers in the world, sidelined with a back injury, Italy will be starting the inexperienced Federico Marchetti in goal, and that could be a problem against the tall Kiwis. “We know they are a very physical squad and good in the air,” Marchetti said. Added defender Domenico Criscito: “We are not thinking about losing.” Coach Marcello Lippi hasn’t ruled out some changes to his lineup after the way forwards Alberto Gilardino and Vincenzo Iaquinta played in the opener. Winger Mauro Camoranesi could start today.
— Kevin Baxter
Group G: BRAZIL VS. IVORY COAST
Where: Johannesburg. Time: 11:30 a.m. PDT.
TV: ABC, ESPN Deportes, Univision. Radio: Sirius/XM, KLYY-FM 97.5, KDLD-FM 103.1.
Brazil is the World Cup favorite now that Spain has lost a game, but Coach Dunga believes his team will have a difficult time against the Ivory Coast. “We know we won’t be able to create many scoring opportunities,” he said. “We will need to be very efficient.” The Selecao struggled but eventually overcame North Korea, 2-1, in its opener. The Brazilians are 5-0 in World Cup play against African teams, but this is the first time they have played the Ivory Coast. Sven-Goran Eriksson, the Elephants’ Swedish coach, has been tight-lipped over whether striker Didier Drogba would start. “We will decide tomorrow,” he said Saturday. “He has been practicing.” Drogba, who broke his elbow in a warmup game against Japan on June 4, played a few minutes in the Ivory Coast’s 0-0 tie with Portugal. He wore a protective cast on the elbow but did not seem comfortable.
— Grahame L. Jones
