Paraguay Beat Japan In Shoot Out

Oscar Cardozo was the hero for Paraguay as his penalty saw the South American side, at the expense of Japan, to the last eight of the World Cup with the first shoot out of the 2010 tournament.

It would the first time in the quarter finals for both sides but served up a rather disappointing ninety minutes and were unable to break the deadlock in the extra thirty and the dreaded penalties were required to split the sides.

And it was Komano who was the unlucky player to miss while Paraguay netted all of their five penalties and will now face Spain in the last eight.

It promised to be an interesting match when Yoshito Okubo fired off a shot just wide of the goal while Komano shot the ball straight at keeper Villar in the opening minutes of the game.

But sadly that fiery play didn't last long as both sides settled down and it wasn't until the twentieth minute that the game showed signs of life.

Barrios produced a nice little turn in the box, foxing Komano, for a strike on goal but Kawashima was onto the danger and saved with his legs.

It was then Japan's chance to go on the run as Disuke Matsui saw his effort strike the crossbar, and that was Japan's best chance to score in the half.

Roque Santa Cruz also came close when he shot wide and Honda, who was the best player on the pitch for Japan, sent a shot across the mouth of the goal.

Into the second half and neither side was able to pile on the pressure for any sustained period of time Barrios came close, but Nagatomo was on hand to match a last gasp clearance, while Nagatomo also had long range shot deflected.

Neither side could break the deadlock and both sides got nervy a edgy and were both worried about conceding an late goal and an extra thirty minutes was needed to separate the two sides.

Valdes came close as he forced a great serve from Kawashima while none of the Japanese players could get on the end of a Honda freekick.

This match had penalties written all over it and when neither side could get the breakthrough we got the first shoot out of the tournament.

But it was to be Komano who missed penalty number three for Japan while Paraguay netted all five to book their spot in the last eight.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw