Group F Finale

Back at last December's Final Draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, coaches of the traditional world powers were doubtless hoping their charges would be grouped with one of the smaller, less experienced international sides. One such team are New Zealand, arguably the biggest outsiders involved, who at that juncture were preparing to make only their second appearance on football's greatest stage – and their first since Spain 1982.

But the Kiwis, who came through a tight play-off against Bahrain to qualify, have thrown the form book out of the window in South Africa and provided stiff opposition thus far for their Group F rivals. After a last-minute equaliser against Slovakia in their first match, the All Whites then shocked the football world by taking the lead against defending champions Italy. Not only that, they held out for a draw that would go down as arguably the best result in the nation's football history. In their third match, the New Zealanders will confront a strong-looking Paraguay side, current leaders of the group, who also secured a point against Italy and followed up that solid start with an impressive 2-0 win over Slovakia.

Italy go into their final Group F showdown with Slovakia knowing victory will guarantee progression.

The Azzurri have drawn both of their matches so far after fighting back against Paraguay before being embarrassingly held by New Zealand.

However, a draw against Slovakia could be enough to progress providing Paraguay beat New Zealand in Group F's other fixture.

Slovakia still have everything to play for themselves as they could still advance with a victory aided by help elsewhere

Head To Head:

Slovakia v Italy: Slovakia 0 wins, Draw 0 wins, Italy 1 win (stats taken since the breakup of Czechoslovakia)

Paraguay v New Zealand: Paraguay 1 win, Draw 0, New Zealand 0 wins

Last Meeting:

Slovakia v Italy: 28/01/1998 Italy 3 Slovakia 0 (Catania)

Paraguay v New Zealand: New Zealand 2 Paraguay 3 (Santiago De Chile)

Best Odds:

Slovakia v Italy: Slovakia 13/2, Draw 16/5, Italy 4/7

Paraguay v New Zealand: Paraguay 5/11, Draw 7/2, New Zealand 9/1

Verdict:

Slovakia v Italy: Slovakia 0 Italy 2

Paraguay v New Zealand: Paraguay 1 New Zealand 1

Final Table:

Italy 5pts

Paraguay 4pts

New Zealand 3pts

Slovakia 1