CAPE TOWN, South Africa - Defending champions Italy came from behind to make a 1-1 tie with Paraguay here on Monday in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Group F opener.
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Italy's Giorgio Chiellini (R) and team mate Christian Maggio fight for the ball with Paraguay's Roque Santa Cruz during their 2010 World Cup Group F soccer match against Paraguay at Green Point stadium in Cape Town June 14, 2010.[Agencies] |
Italy coach Marcello Lippi said after the match that he was satisfied with his players' performances but regretted for not collecting a win.
"We have some new players and I am glad to see they are progressing. We created more chances than our opponents," he noted.
In the heavy rain lasting for almost 24 hours, Paraguay centre-back Antolin Alcaraz came up from the back in the 39th minute and outjumped his marker De Rossi to head home a freekick.
Italy tied the score on 63 minutes when De Rossi met Pepe's cornerkick at the back post and bundled the ball in from close-range.
Except the two goals, both sides had little to boast. Italy looked better in composure on ball and create more chances.
Montolivo cut inside and shot from 20-yards out in the 54th minute. His effort was straight at the Paraguay keeper Justo Villar.
In the 82nd minute, Pepe passed inside to Montolivo, who looked up and shot from 30-yards. But Villar palmed it out.
Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino said,"I am glad to see that we have tied such a rival in such circumstances. We are confident of surviving the group."
"We also suffered from the rain," he added.
Agreeing with Lippi, Martino said,"Yes, the turf is good but fast, and the rain made it even faster."
Italy and Paraguay met each other twice before today's match, one in 1950 World Cup and the other in 1998 friendly. Italy won both.
