Paraguay beat Japan on penalties at World Cup

Paraguay advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals by beating Japan 5-3 in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout following a goalless draw at the end of extra-time.

Updated on: Jun 30, 2010, 01:18:28 IST

AP | By HT Correspondent, Pretoria

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Paraguay advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals by beating Japan 5-3 in a penalty shootout Tuesday after a 0-0 draw.

Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar saved a penalty from Yuichi Komano on the third shot. Paraguay will face either Spain or Portugal in the quarterfinals.

Paraguay had the best chance in extra time in the 97th minute, when Claudio Morel cut in from the left and fed the ball to a sliding Nelson Valdez, but the substitute's shot went straight to Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima.

Japan's prowess from free kicks nearly paid off in the 98th when Keisuke Honda forced a save by Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar.

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