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World Cup: New Zealand vs. Slovakia (Your Running Commentary)

NewZealandLogo SlovakiaLogo

The Group of Death highlights Tuesday's action, but two of the tournament's bigger underdogs have a chance to grab an early lead in their group as New Zealand and Slovakia tangle in Group F action at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenberg, South Africa (7:30 a.m., ESPN/ESPN3.com).

With Italy and Paraguay playing to a stalemate on Monday, first place in the group is up for grabs. Not much is expected from New Zealand in this tournament, as they are the ranked 78th in the latest FIFA rankings, which is third-worst among all World Cup teams (South Africa is 83rd, North Korea is 105th). Former D.C. United player Ryan Nelsen captains the All Whites and will look to steer the ship for the upset.

Slovakia is making its World Cup debut as an independent nation (Czechoslovakia participated eight times before 1993). Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik is the one to watch for the European side, as the offense will run through the 22-year-old star-in-the-making.

If you are watching the game, please share any thoughts, opinions and play-by-play in the comments section below. Enjoy the match!

Comments

  1. No, Boyens didn’t play.

    I wouldn’t mind Shane Smeltz in MLS. That cross to Reid was nice. Smeltz would be an excellent addition to Seattle who can’t score at all.

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  2. I agree…wonder what I was doing watching this game but it turned out to be a good game. New Zealand surprised me and played a lot better than I expected.

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  3. It’s crazy because four out of the five lowest ranked teams have all earned points. A good omen for North Korea perhaps? Not likely…especially against Brazil.

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  4. Wonder why there is no link to document his “legendary status” … ha ha. Hope his celebration yellow doesn’t come back to haunt him … never know when you might have to give a “professional” foul and get yellowed for it, especially with 2 tough grp. games still to go.

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  5. Wikipedia 9:27am – Winston Wiremu Reid (born July 3, 1988 in Auckland) is a Danish-New Zealand football player. His position of preference in at the heart of defence as a center back. He has achieved legendary status in New Zealand for his goal against Slovakia in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals.

    Already a legend. That was fast!

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  6. Let me get this straight… He was born to a US Father and German mother, but moved to Australia and now plays for New Zealand?

    huh?

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  7. Is he any good? I mean, obv, we’re talking in relative terms. I wonder if he isn’t genuinely a Kiwi patriot or if he made a tactical decision to shoot for the lower hanging fruit with the Kiwis (no pun intended).

    I’ve watched a few A-League matches and it seems like a decent competition, but I haven’t seen many. What’s your take?

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  8. He was born on an American army base in Germany to an American Soldier father and a German mother. They then moved to Australia when he was young. I don’t know if his father went with them or what.
    I watch alot of A-League and hear the announcers talk about it every once in awhile.

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  9. Ives..North Korea, not South Africa, is the lowest ranked nation in the WC. These are the countries that are ranked outside the top 32 in the world:

    105- North Korea

    83- South Africa

    78- New Zealand

    47- South Korea

    45- Japan

    38- Honduras

    36- Denamark

    34- Slovakia

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  10. In other news, Didier Drogba has been cleared to play against Portugal with a cast on his arm. Be interesting to see if he’s still able to dive with that thing on 😉

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  11. I have a question to all of you.

    A few months back, I think, FIFA decided to wipe out the yellow cards after the round of 16, not after the group stage. Is this right? Does any one know for sure?

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  12. Yeah, when my alarm went off this morning, I was thinking what the heck is wrong with me waking up to watch this one.

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