New Zealand’s second taste of the World Cup finished rather better than their first. In 1982 they had come home pointless; here they returned without having lost a game and having finished above Italy. However, left in the air was the tantalising feeling that they could have even qualified. Shane Smeltz and Chris Wood both had chances against a strangely lacklustre Paraguay side and one goal would have seen Ricki Herbert’s side clamber above Slovakia and into the knockout stages. As it is, Paraguay top Group F as the great theme of this tournament – the triumph of South American teams continues.