New Zealand and Paraguay in World Cup rematch

New Zealand and Paraguay meet in a World Cup rematch Tuesday, with the home side intent on producing an entertaining display for the fans after the drab 0-0 draw between the sides in South Africa.

The friendly in Wellington has been billed as a chance for football fans in the New Zealand capital to celebrate the All Whites’ unexpectedly strong showing at the World Cup, where they finished as the only undefeated team.

The team’s final match at the tournament was a goalless draw against Paraguay, who topped Group F and progressed to the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by eventual champions Spain.

New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert’s side showed attacking flair in a 1-1 draw with Honduras in Auckland on Saturday that was in marked contrast to the defensive strategy employed in South Africa.

“At the end of the day the stats would have been very lopsided in our favour,” Herbert said.

“If Tuesday night?s half as entertaining everyone will be pleased,” he added.

Captain Ryan Nelsen said his teammates wanted to put on a show for the home crowd.

“They want to express themselves and they want to entertain,” he said.

Paraguay, ranked 17th in the world, will be missing World Cup stars Oscar Cardozo, Lucas Barrios, Roque Santa Cruz and Nestor Ortigoza.

The South Americans are smarting from a 1-0 loss to Australia in Sydney on Saturday and will be keen for a win on their Asian tour after a 1-0 defeat to Japan in Yokohama and a 1-1 draw with China in Beijing.

Paraguay will be spearheaded by striker Nelson Valdez, who has become newly promoted Hercules’ most expensive signing and began his career in Spain’s La Liga with two goals against Barcelona.