SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2010 - New Zealand and Paraguay fans arrive in Polokwane for final Group F match

Record ID: 452579

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2010 - New Zealand and Paraguay fans arrive in Polokwane for final Group F match
  • Date: 25th June 2010
  • Summary: FANS WATCHING A DANCE SHOW VARIOUS OF DANCE VARIOUS OF POLICE AT POLOKWANE FAN FEST
  • Embargoed: 10th July 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAA305CLAH4FD4O3E27VGCICKOD
  • Story Text: New Zealand and Paraguay fans on Thursday (June 24) arrived in Polokwane, South Africa's most northern World Cup host city as the two nations prepared to play their final Group F match at the town's Peter Mokaba stadium.
    Arriving on a charter flight from Johannesburg, a plane load of excited New Zealand fans boarded buses to take them to the stadium.
    "I think that Paraguay is going to get smashed and we're going through to the next round, and it's going to be brilliant," said Harrison, an optimistic fan as he boarded his bus.
    Another Kiwi, Paul said he hope the other group F match would go in their favour, but regardless of the results today, he has enjoyed South Africa.
    "Today's result - we want to sneak one, 1-0, and the best result for us Italy 1, Slovakia 1. So that should put us..we might sneak through as top of the group." Paul said. "We're very happy, win or lose we've had a fantastic time, what a great country, the results have been fantastic for us."
    Despite Bafana Bafana being knocked out of the tournament, Polokwane residents were determined to enjoy the rest of the World Cup and provide entertainment for their international guests. Dancers in traditional costumes put on a show for the soccer fans as they walked the short distance from the town centre to the stadium.
    Bus loads of local school children were also taken to the stadium so that they could experience a World Cup match.
    Close to the stadium, Paraguay fans were determined that their team take top spot to avoid Netherlands in the next round.
    "I hope that we win this game because it means we will be top of the group and won't have to play against Holland. I think we're going to win to be honest," said Maria
    "We can't go out there thinking the game is won before we've even started, New Zealand are playing really well, just look at their draw against Italy. I think it's going to be a physical game, we will want to win the game and finish first to avoid Holland," said Fernando.
    Paraguay are already almost certain of a place in the last 16 needing only a point to guarantee qualification but a win would leave them group winners and in theory would have an easier tie in the next round by most likely avoiding the Netherlands.
    New Zealand have proved their critics wrong in their two previous Group F matches including a hard fought 1-1 draw against world champions Italy.
    The Group F winner will play against Group E runner up in Pretoria on June 29, likely to be Japan or Denmark, whereas finishing runner up would mean a likely tie against the Netherlands on June 28 in Durban.
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