The All Whites battled to a goalless draw against the eventual quarter-finalists in the group stages in South Africa but were always chasing the game at Westpac Stadium once the visitors scored two goals in quick succession midway through the first half.

Ricki Herbert's men had their chances though with Tim Brown forcing a good save from the Paraguay keeper Justo Villar early in the second half and Chris Wood and Chris Killen unable to convert opportunities throughout the game.

But the match, watched by 16,477 fans, ended on something of a sour note when Winston Reid was sent off in the 89th minute for a needless crude challenge on Federico Santander.

Injuries meant there were two changes to the starting line-up from Saturday's 1-1 draw with Honduras.

Wellington Phoenix defender Ben Sigmund was handed a starting role on his home turf after captain Ryan Nelsen failed to recover from a thigh injury, while Michael McGlinchey slotted in behind Wood and Killen in place of Shane Smeltz (hamstring).

Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino however, made six changes to the side that started in their 1-0 loss to Australia last weekend.

The promoted players certainly made an impact. Edgar Martinez was brought down in the box by Sigmund which led to the opening goal – a penalty by Nelson Haedo.

Then Enrique Vera slotted a lovely through ball to Osvaldo Martinez who lobbed the ball over Mark Paston for a second for the visitors in the space of five minutes – all with less than half-an-hour of the match gone.

Prior to those goals New Zealand had had the bulk of possession in the opening 20 minutes but were unable to make it count with a half chance for Wood in the opening minutes the best of their opportunities.

Killen had another good chance in the 29th minute but his turn and strike flew over the bar.

New Zealand should have been three-nil down by the break as the defence, without Nelsen, struggled to contain the lively South Americans.

Haedo, who was a danger every time he got the ball, was put clear in a one-on-one with Mark Paston, who again got the nod ahead of Glen Moss.

But the big keeper stood firm and blocked the shot with his feet. Cristian Riveros then fired wide with the defence beaten again.

The All Whites started the second spell strongly with two clear-cut chances inside the first 10 minutes.

Brown, the skipper in Nelsen's absence, was denied by a superb save from Villar after Jeremy Brockie's accurate cross from the right, then Wood rose to meet a Leo Bertos ball in from the left only for Killen to get in the way of his headed shot.

Both coaches turned to their substitutes and the game lost some of its shape with chances few and far between until Nestor Camacho blasted over for the visitors when he had plenty of time and space to put the game beyond any doubt.

Moss and Rory Fallon – who scored the match-winner against Bahrain the last time the All Whites played in Wellington – and Aaron Clapham were finally given a run with 10 minutes to go after Jeremy Christie and Andy Boyens had been introduced for Brockie and Sigmund around the hour mark.

But they were unable to inspire any late heroics, leaving Reid to provide the drama instead.

New Zealand: 0

Paraguay: 2 (Haedo (pen), O Martinez)