Paraguay Matches at World Cup 2010

Paraguay World Cup Profile

We take our first trip to South America in Group F of the 2010 World Cup, as LiveSoccerTV.com takes a tour in Paraguay ahead of the tournament in South Africa.

Paraguay – The country, the football

The Republic of Paraguay, also known as Paraguay, is a South American blocked-in country in the Western Hemisphere. With no beach, Paraguay is surrounded by Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia, and it is sometimes referred to as the “Corazón de América” – meaning “Heart of America” in English.

The Spanish-speaking country – which obtained its liberty from Spain in 1811 – has a population around the number of 6,349,000 people, all residing within an entire area of 406,752 km2. The Paraguay national football team – recognized as the Guaranies or La Albirroja (meaning White and red in English) – hasn’t got a bad overall record in football. They qualified 8 times for the FIFA World Cup; this includes their qualification for the 2010 edition of the tournament.

The two-time Copa América winners have never surpassed the last 16 of the World Cup though, but as they had an impressive run in their qualification for the competition in South Africa, they might go on to surprise the public during the summer of 2010.

Paraguay – The road to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals

The qualifying stage of the 2010 World Cup in the South American zone (CONMEBOL) was different from the ones we saw in other confederations. For instance, unlike in the European zone (UEFA), 10 countries participated in the qualifying stage of CONMEBOL, and each and every national team had to give his very best, as the rule for qualification was quite clear.

The first, second, third, and fourth-placed teams were automatically granted places in the 2010 World Cup finals; whereas the fifth-placed team was obliged to face the fourth-placed team from CONCACAF qualification in a two-legged play-off.

So, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Peru, as well as Paraguay were the 10 teams competing for World Cup tickets, and they had to undergo 18 rounds before knowing their future in the 2010 World Cup.

Bizarrely, the Guaranies didn’t enjoy a good start in their qualification, as they failed to produce goals in Round 1, following goalless draw away to the Estadio Monumental in Peru, on October 13, 2007.

They then happened to get their first 3 points 4 days later in Round 2, when they edge 1-0 past  Uruguay, thanks to a goal from Valdez after only 14 minutes of proceedings.

On November 17, Paraguay made the headlines subsequent to their unbelievable 5-1 victory over a helpless Ecuador side at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Asunción, and again, 4 days later, their positive form didn’t seem to be lower, as they destroyed Chile 3-0 with the help of a double from da Silva.

The big moment then arrived 7 months later when La Albirroja had to face Brazil, but Paraguay overcome their challenge brilliantly, humbling the Brazilians 2-0 at home with Santa Cruz, and Cabañas on the scoring sheet for the Paraguayans.

In Round 6, Paraguay seemed to be struggling with fatigue, seeing that they allowed Bolivia to break down their defense and score 4 goals, while they only pulled 2 back to make the score line 4-2 at the Estadio Hernando Siles in La Paz.

Argentina were their next opponents in Round 7 on the 6th of September 2008 in Buenos Aires, and although the Paraguayans failed to place the ball at the back of the net on their own, they still managed to steal a point as Argentina’s defender Gabriel Heinze made an own goal, before his country mate Agüero equalized for the Albicelestes.

After that, Riveros and Valdez pushed Paraguay to a 2-0 home victory in their subsequent qualifier against Venezuela to help their national team bounce back from a recent unsatisfying shape, before Cabañas also scored to give 3 more points to the Guaranies in Round 9 against Colombia.

Paraguay obtained their third consecutive win in their qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals, as a result of their 1-0 win over Peru in Asunción on October 15, 2008, but they were unfortunately defeated in Round 11 by Uruguay 2-0 away from home.

Last year on April 1, the Paraguayans were hoping to increase the amount of points they had gathered from their previous qualifying encounters when they travelled to Ecuador; and even though they did not totally succeed, they somehow saved a point with a late equalizing goal from Benitez which leveled the score line to 1-1 for the Guaranies.

Next, they were silenced 2-0 by their Chilean visitors on June 6, as a warning of their 2-1 defeat to Brazil in Recife 4 days later. Cabañas then came to the rescue of his country, scoring a first half goal to help Paraguay earn a 1-0 victory over Bolivia in Round 15, and in Round 16, it was Valdez’s turn to give his side another win through the same manner against Argentina, who – by then – were troubled by several tests.

2-1 was the final result of Paraguay’s encounter away to the Polideportivo Cachamay in Puerto Ordaz against Venezuela on October 10. At that moment, the Guaranies didn’t had to worry about anything anymore, as their place for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa was already saved.

Eventually, on the 14th of October 2009, Paraguay gave away their last 3 points to Colombia, who came and imposed theirselves by 2 goals to nil at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Asunción. In the end, after Round 18, the Paraguayans qualified with 33 good points – either 5 points ahead of fourth place Argentina, or a single point behind leaders Brazil. Chile also shared 33 points; however, due to their higher goal difference, they took the second spot in the table over Paraguay.

Paraguay – 2010 FIFA World Cup group stage

Based on their position in the FIFA World Ranking on October 2009, the Paraguayans were not eligible for a place in Pot 1 before the final draw for the group stage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa.

They were thus put in Pot 3, which also contained a host of African and South American countries; among which were Algeria, Cameroon, La Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Chile, and Uruguay.

On December 4, 2009, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, the Guaranies were finally drawn along with Italy, New Zealand, and Slovakia in Group F. Certainly, being placed with the World Cup title holders – in addition to 2 other uncommon countries – was the sign of a mysterious destiny for Paraguay; yet, with the power and esteem they received from their campaign in the tournament’s qualification, they could enjoy a nice World Cup.

Match-day 1: Italy vs Paraguay

The Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town will witness a diverting game between the world champions Italy and the South Americans Paraguay, at 20:30 local time. The date for this game is June 14.

Italy significantly bettered their record in football through their interesting achievement during the 2006 German World Cup, but despite the name they have made for themselves, they still know how difficult it can be to face other sides from different football confederations.

Paraguay are from South America, and their style of play is surely very much different from the style of play of the Italians; in the end, choosing a favorite in that particular encounter will not be as easy as one might think it could be, taking into account the fact that the Paraguayans are capable of making great upsets.

Match-day 2: Slovakia vs Paraguay

Slovakia will meet Paraguay at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on June 20, at 13:30 local time.

It is the first time Slovakia participate in a FIFA World Cup tournament since the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in the early 90s, and Paraguay could well take this advantage to rule their hosts on match-day 2 of the 2010 World Cup’s group stage.

As regular participants in the tournament since1998, Paraguay is expected to prove that expertise is stronger than a first-time experience.

Match-day 3: Paraguay vs New Zealand

On match-day 3, Paraguay will face New Zealand at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, on June 24, at 16:00 local time.

New Zealand are also rare comers in the FIFA World Cup tournament, and it will be another chance for Paraguay to suck out 3 more precious points to improve their position in their group. It is however true that fatigue could be an obstacle at that moment, but in any case, the Guaranies know perfectly what it means to “keep holding on”.

Paraguay – Quick Analysis: Expectations from the country and its top stars

Paraguay are not the strongest, nor the second strongest side in South America; nonetheless, they have managed to keep their hopes of playing in South Africa alive. Now that they are among the last 32 countries qualified for the tournament in 2010, Paraguay have no option but to live up to the expectations of their fans back home.

They fortunately have some key players with remarkable skills to lead their national football team at the World Cup, and of course, if anything negative was to happen to the Guaranies, these players would partly be held responsible, (that is if they escape any fitness problem).

Roque Santa Cruz:

The striker named Roque Luis Santa Cruz Cantero is growing in his career for sure. At times, it looked like he was struggling intensively with some fitness problems, but that has not prevented him from being observed as a great forward in recent years.

Santa Cruz has over 60 appearances for the Paraguay national football team, having already reached the number of 20 for national goals. The player – hardened by the competitiveness of the English Premier League – is to lead the front of the Guaranies at the 2010 World Cup, as Paraguay expect to be very productive in attack.

Claudio Morel Rodríguez:

The expert Paraguayan defender has made around 40 appearances for his national team. As a prominent Boca Juniors player and the 2008 Paraguayan Footballer of the Year, Claudio is looking forward to a promising combat in South Africa for his country.

Having held several major club trophies in his career since 2001, he certainly wouldn’t mind to set his target to clinching another prestigious trophy, none other than the World Cup trophy, this time around.

Paulo da Silva:

Paulo da Silva is an experienced centre back from Paraguay. The playmaker has had success in the American continent in his club career, and he was also chosen as a defender on the “Ideal Eleven” of the CONMEBOL in 2007.

Hence, he should have a good contribution in the Paraguay national team in South Africa during the 2010 World Cup – should he emulate his club exploits for his country.

Paraguay – Current FIFA World Cup squad

Goalkeepers:

Diego Barreto; Aldo Bobadilla; Justo Villa

Defenders:

Antolin Alcaraz; Aureliano Torres; Carlos Bonet; Claudio Morel; Paulo Da Silva; Dario Veron; Denis Caniza; Julio Cesar Caceres

Midfielders:

Edgar Barreto; Nestor Ortigoza; Victor Caceres; Enrique Vera; Jonathan Santana; Cristian Riveros

Forwards:

Edgar Benitez; Lucas Barrios; Rodolfo Gamarra; Nelson Haedo Valdez; Oscar Cardozo; Roque Santa Cruz

Paraguay – Relevant Quote

Gerardo Martino: “Winning against Italy is the most important thing”

The head coach of Paraguay has declared that he had a nice team prepared for the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament in South Africa, but he also confessed that his group was somewhat testing, mostly with the presence of title holders Italy. Below is the quote of Gerardo Martino on this matter:

“Paraguay possesses some of the world’s best players. For me, the important thing is that we face all our opponents in good form and with our best skills.

“A great result against Italy is probably the most significant thing for us, should we succeed in the tournament. Concerning New Zealand, I don’t think they are an easy team either, in my opinion.”

Paraguay – FIFA World Cup record

Paraguay have qualified for the FIFA World Cup tournament 8 times in all, but half of their qualifications took place in the last 12 years. Below is the record of the Paraguayans in the competition:

2010: Qualified as participants

2006, 1958, 1950, 1930: Round 1

2002, 1998, 1986: Round of 16

How will Paraguay perform throughout the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament? Follow this country match by match, here, on LiveSoccerTV.com!

Paraguay World Cup Videos

• Jul/03/2010 Paraguay vs Spain (0 - 1)
• Jun/29/2010 Paraguay vs Japan (0 - 0)
• Jun/24/2010 Paraguay vs New Zealand (0 - 0)