The Russian Roulette of football finally made its entry on African shores as Paraguay overcame Asia’s last remaining hope Japan 5-3 on penalties after the match ended in a goalless draw at the Loftus Versfeld Arena here on Tuesday.
The Latin Americans advanced to the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the first time and became the fourth team from the continent to progress to the last-eight of this year’s event.
Defender Yuichi Komano missed the crucial third spot-kick that struck the crossbar and ricocheted out as the Japanese failed to better their previous best World Cup performance of entering the round of 16 in 2002 when they co-hosted the event.
Playing in front of an electric crowd here, that applauded each wasted attempt by the strikers as a near-miss and wildly cheered every attacking move, neither team looked capable of breaching the other’s backline.
Paraguay created the first chance in the 17th minute. Lively striker Lucas Barrios slipped his marker adroitly, but in a one-on-one with goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima shot straight at the net-minder as the ball rolled away to safety.
A couple of minutes later, Japan almost broke the deadlock. From 25 yards, Daisuke Matsui struck a curling right-footer which dipped at the last moment to beat Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar, but the upright came to the Latin Americans’ rescue.
In the 27th minute Paraguay’s best chance fell to talismanic striker Roque Santa Cruz. Off a corner kick, Morel Rodriguez headed the ball in the direction of the Manchester City frontman who fired a left-footed piledriver the wrong side of the post.
Japan’s Keisuke Honda, whose magnificent strike against Denmark paved the way for Japan’s entry into the last 16, had a great chance in the 38th minute, but his left-footed shot from just outside the penalty box had too much bend on it and went flashing past the far post.
The second-half was an even scrappier affair than the first period and the best chances for both teams came off dead-ball situations. However, the errant heading of both teams ensured the match remained goalless after the regulation 90 minutes.
Paraguay dominated possession and had 57 per cent of the ball’s share, but for the most part the team was content knocking short passes and going back instead of moving forward.
In extra-time Paraguay had the better of the early exchanges and looked primed to score in the 94th minute as Barrios drew a smart save from Kawashima. Japan replied promptly as a Honda free-kick from the left flank drew out the best of Villar – who dived at full stretch to get a hand to the ball and deflect it out.
The second-half of extra-time had a familiar feel to it as neither team risked making the mistake that would end their hopes in the tournament. In the end it came down to penalty kicks and five perfect shots from Paraguay’s Edgar Barreto, Barrios, Cristian Riveros, Nelson Valdez and finally Oscar Cardozo put paid to Japan’s hopes.