Worldcup, round of 16, match review- Japan vs Paraguay.

Paraguay beat japan by penalty: Paraguay booked a place in the last eight of the World Cup at the expense of Japan but only after a dramatic penalty shoot out in Pretoria. There were extraordinary scenes at the end with the Paraguayans flooding the field, the Japanese slumped in despair. There were inevitable tears from Yuichi Komano – who had slammed his penalty against the bar, the only player to miss in the shoot-out – but also from the victorious coach, Gerardo Martino.There were extraordinary scenes at the end with the Paraguayans flooding the field, the Japanese slumped in despair. There were inevitable tears from Yuichi Komano – who had slammed his penalty against the bar, the only player to miss in the shoot-out – but also from the victorious coach, Gerardo Martino.Neither side created many chances during 120 minutes of disappointing football, though Japan's Daisuke Matsui hit the crossbar and Paraguay forced goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima into a couple of smart saves.After a quiet opening 20 minutes at Loftus Versfeld Stadium Paraguay fashioned the first opening when Lucas Barrios got into the area and forced Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima into a good low save. Seconds later, Daisuke Matsui struck the bar s with a looping shot.Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz was the next to go close as he latched onto a loose ball in the area but he dragged his shot wide.Five minutes before halftime Japan created a chance for Keisuke Honda after Matsui squared the ball to him on the edge of the box. He elected to shoot, and sliced his shot wide, when Yoshito Okubo was unmarked to his left.Chances were few and far between for the rest of half as Japan sat deep and made themselves difficult to break down.As the end of 90 minutes loomed both sides retreated, more than happy to sit back rather than launch men forward, and the game duly went into extra time.In the second half of extra time Japan came close to a winner when Yuto Nagatomo's cross was met by Honda but Villar saved, but the game went to penalties.The first six penalties were converted before Komano smashed his shot against the crossbar. Then Cardozo held his nerve to clinch the game.

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