Pop World Cup 2010: Group F – Paraguay 0 New Zealand 0

Steve M’s New Zealand are through to the next round and coasting. Paraguay, managed by Talia, are very close to qualification, needing just a point to see them through. Is this a good time to play NZ? Or will Paraguay find their squad – according to the manager a very thin squad indeed – succumbing to the pressure?

This match closes at midnight on Monday 19th April

PARAGUAY: Coco – “Paragua” The Manager Says: “The accompanying video is Paraguay’s secret weapon, warming up to it every match before we head out onto the pitch. With Coco wearing our kit, it was the perfect choice to launch our next challenge.”

NEW ZEALAND: Ladi6 – “Dark Brown” The Manager Says: “I run a tight ship at our squad camp but since the sensational win over Italy the party hasn’t stopped for the NZ fans and I’ve allowed the team to relax a little too, have a few beers and toast swift passage to the second round with the Dutch, Ghanaian and Spanish coaches – how thrilled we are to be joining them so soon. But truth be told the celebrations and aftermath have been heavy and the prospect of the Netherlands in the 2nd round is a sobering thought. We aim to continue our winning streak but feel the need to roll with something a bit more laid back now so I think this is the right moment to stick with the phat-back four while Ladi6 gets a run-out up front on her own – more stylish soul and soulful style to break down the oppo. Now if you don’t mind I could really use a hair of the dog…”

Group F Match 6: Which track did you prefer? [ballot]

PARAGUAY: Coco 53%
NEW ZEALAND: Ladi6 47%

Total Voters: 57

Poll closes: 19 Apr 2010 @ 23:59

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Commentary Box Analysis Is Talia’s unfamiliar Paraguayan take on the familiar total genius, or are those tactics outdated? Does Steve M’s choice of a loping Kiwi r’n’b formation lack the legs to compete, or is it just the job, a breath of easy-going fresh air at this frenetic stage of the tournament? No one can quite agree.

Coming up Group G, already! Tomorrow’s games are Korea DPR vs Cote D’Ivoire, and Portugal vs Brazil. Both match-ups to conjure with…

The FT Top 100 Tracks Of All Time: 17: The Ronettes – Be My Baby

Pop World Cup 2010: Group G – Korea DPR 1 Cote D’Ivoire 1

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Steve Mannion

13 Apr 2010 13:23

Ooh two can play that video game. Here’s the clip for ‘Dark Brown’ – it’s…er, on the ‘Single Lady’ tip. She got moves. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhHzK8V1TBM

Tom

13 Apr 2010 13:25

This post has ended up in the “Cheesy Lover” category, an unfair slur on both these artists. “Cheapo Lover” more apt looking at the vids.

Birdseed

13 Apr 2010 13:39

New Zeeland takes this game rather too seriously and has already got a yellow card off complaining to the referee about Paraguay’s antics. Unfortunately they lack the verve of their sillier opponents and will struggle against a familiar but hard-to-stop side.

lonepilgrim

13 Apr 2010 14:31

Paraguay entertain with their lack of self consciousness while New Zealand appear to be on the verge of unconsciousness. Neither side are as good as Argentina who seem to have succumbed to the dark arts of statistics in their group. This is the first time I’ve voted tactically but I don’t think PAR deserve to go through on this showing. NZ to win.

Tom

13 Apr 2010 14:52

The Paraguayans learned their skills with their noses pressed against TV store windows, watching in awe as a great Bahamian striker played. There’s an infectious enthusiasm to their play but sadly its not hard for a professional Kiwi back line to snuff their attacks out. I think New Zealand might be playing for a draw here, and I also think they might get it.

Pete Baran

13 Apr 2010 14:53

Is the New Zealand team really called Lady Sick? Some sort of end of a hen night thing I am guessing.

wichita lineman

13 Apr 2010 16:07

Not really anything to do with this enthralling game but… Great excitement! the Panini sticker album is with us! Anybody in? Or will I be swapping with various nephews and friends’ offspring? Again.

Erithian

13 Apr 2010 16:20

My kids are, Wichita (not that daddy is remotely interested, of course not) – maybe bring some swaps to the next Poptimism night?

And Tom – Barbadian not Bahamian shurely? Took your eye off the ball there mate! Sorry, Paraguay, but cover versions are a bookable offence…

Tom

13 Apr 2010 16:22

Erm yes, typical foot-in-gob British commentator moment there.

Is it time for Swoptimism already?? Well I never.

jeff w

13 Apr 2010 16:27

TBH I’m not sure I wanna know what Black the Ripper and Morder Machine ft. Atrax Morgue look like. Let alone the managers…

koganbot

13 Apr 2010 17:27

Real toe-tickling footwork from Paraguay; problem is that when it comes to chesting or heading the sphere, they get all spun around, come off goofy where one might have dreamed of elegance. The Paraguayans might well retort (in the words of English doppelgänger McFly), “In the dark you can’t see shiny cars.” But football being played in the light, the New Zealand striker stands out by contrast in her dark brown. A vote here for NZ, but not without being entertained by the Paraguayans along the way.

Matt DC

13 Apr 2010 19:30

Hahahaha mad kudos to Paraguay for being brazen enough to play this. The purists will be appalled but with qualification in the balance for Paraguay they won’t be in the slightest worried about such concerns. We all know what happened when Terry Venables unashamedly copied Dutch tactics in Euro 96.

That said, I was totally onside with the Paraguay track even before the vocals came in and I recognised what it was, the beat is great and I love that accordian line, and they do something really fresh and inventive with overfamiliar source material.

Got a feeling New Zealand are resting all their best players here, and who can blame them having smashed up this group so far. There’s real talent upfront but I’m not convinced the rest of the team are really exerting themselves here and it sounds like someone in the back line keeps tripping over their own feet. Worthy but dull, so I’m voting for Paraguay.

Kat but logged out innit

13 Apr 2010 23:34

I have to disagree with Matt – NZ’s relaxed play is far more appealing to me than the Paraguayan striker’s shoddy finishing. I don’t mind the tactics at all but the execution is dreadful.

Alberto

14 Apr 2010 08:36

Really enjoyed both tracks, but Paraguay had me smiling all the way through and therefore get my vote.

Lex

14 Apr 2010 17:23

I recognise the name Ladi6 from somewhere, can’t remember where though.

I didn’t actually realise what the PAR track was until an embarrassing distance into it, I was just like, what does this remind me of? It’s kind of inspired – as MDC points out that accordion line is a brilliant touch, and I quite like the clattery reggaeton feel to the beats.

As with their previous track, NZL don’t seem to put a foot wrong technically but it’s all a bit…I’d rather listen to the real Jill Scott or Angie Stone than someone mimicking them – could you actually imagine a use for Ladi6 (or Scribe for that matter) outside their home country? More to the point, I’d also rather listen to the rather more inventive take on R&B from PAR.

CarsmileSteve

14 Apr 2010 22:06

yeah, NZ taken their eye off the ball a bit here, too languid for the amazingly cheeky Paraguayans, who might be the first team to get away with something so blatant in the PWC for a long time…

swanstep

14 Apr 2010 23:34

PAR in a walk… I thought that this song (one of the great #1s I reckon) was covered out a few years ago, but I’m delighted to be proved wrong about that. *Loved* it. As everyone has mentioned, NZL are soporific this time around. I assume they’ll now be well-rested for the second round (I’m hoping SJD will be used to take out some other teams’ big guns. If only the real 2010 WC had a chance of playing out like this!).

Ben

15 Apr 2010 01:18

@wichita lineman – I’m in!

kft

15 Apr 2010 08:43

hey lex t, ladi6 is currently on tour in europe for the 2nd time, supporting both Mos def and Gil scott heron as well as kicking ass at her own shows, and also has a european record deal with BBE in London. Making HUGE use of her talent outside NZ. (Go figure – she actually translates-wow!)

It might serve you well to stay up with the play with Ladi6 and the game there buddy! bahaha

Cristina

15 Apr 2010 16:46

Yes the team from Paraguay was gutsy with their tactics but what actually caught my attention was the computer game sound in the NZ effort. I found myself waiting for the game-over sound to sing along with it (including a downwards hand gesture).

Jonathan Bogart

19 Apr 2010 05:35

I’m going with the cheekiness of Paraguay (despite the wobbly vocals) over the professionalism of New Zealand: slow-burn “respectable” funk has never been something I’ve been able to warm up to, at least not from after the 70s. It’s not New Zealand — it’s me.

Anna_anna

19 Apr 2010 13:05

Paraguay win. New Zealand started out well, but sputtered out into bland Sia/ Zero 7 territory. Fun scores against coffee shop funk.

jeff w

19 Apr 2010 14:24

Paraguay seem to be having the same trouble with the pitch that they had in the first game. And I’m not talking about the playing surface here. Yet, as in the first game, they overcome these shortcomings with some bravado and tongues firmly in cheek. They get my vote, as I’m keen to hear more from them in this tournament. Can’t really say the same for Italy (sorry Marna).

Steve Mannion

20 Apr 2010 14:04

The All-Whites weather a turbulent last ten minutes as fans rally for PAR who dominate the second half of the match. NZ create little and rely on a solid formalist defence to force the stalemate and seal an intriguing second round clash with the mercurial Cameroon. Paraguay, now something of a surprise package as potentially the only South American team to escape the group stage, tackle a Dutch side recently defeated but still brimming with confidence.

wpDiscuz

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Pop World Cup 2010: Group F – Paraguay 0 New Zealand 0

The FT Top 100 Tracks Of All Time: 17: The Ronettes – Be My Baby

Pop World Cup 2010: Group G – Korea DPR 1 Cote D’Ivoire 1

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