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A to Z of WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA 2010 - Paraguay
PARAGUAY:
Paraguay took part in the inaugural World Cup in Uruguay in 1930. Their appearance in South Africa will mark their eight showing overall in 19 Finals. They have reached the last 16 on three of those occasions (1986, 1998 and 2002. Indeed the ten year period from 1996-2002 saw the emergence and growth of the ‘golden generation’ of Paraguayan footballers.
The team’s exit in Round 1 in Germany 2006 saw the retirement of key players such as goalkeeper Jose Chilavert, Carlos Gamarra and Celso Ayala. Meanwhile the U-19 side won the South American Milk Cup in 2002, 2003 and 2006. Key members of that squad like Oscar Cardozo, Nelson Valdez and Julio dos Santos have become the backbone of the senior side.
This rejuvenated squad caused a not inconsiderable stir in the manner of their qualification for South Africa. They defeated Brazil 2-0 (at home), Chile 3-0 and Columbia 1-0 (both away), and secured qualification by defeating Diego Maradona’s Argentina 1-0 on September 9th 2009. A national holiday was declared to mark this latter result!
The squad is coached by the Argentine Gerado Martino, a man with a very successful coaching career at club level in Paraguay. His appointment to the national position in 2007 has seen a steady rise in the country’s performance at international level. A recent quote sets the tone: “Anyone who coaches a national team does so for one of two reasons – to stay in the job or to go down in history. I’ve chosen the second option.”
Coach Martino can call on a several internationally known players, the majority of whom are based in Mexico or Europe. Whilst there is recognisable strength throughout the team – Justo Villar is one of the best ‘keepers in South America – the side’s formidable forward line is its most potent threat.
Manchester City’s Roque Santa Cruz missed most of the qualifying matches through injury and so will be raring to go in South Africa. bwin are offering 100-1 on his being the top goal-scorer in the Finals. There was every expectation that Santa Cruz would have been partnered by Nelson Valdez (Borussia Dortmund) and Salvador Cabanas(Club America, Mexico).
Sadly Cabanas was shot in the head in January 2010. He has been moved out on intensive care into a clinic in Mexico City. He is making slow but steady progress: doctors say it is still too dangerous to try to remove the bullet. A South Africa appearance seems beyond him.
Paraguay, ranked 23rd in the world by FIFA, are nicknamed La Albirroja (the White and Reds). They have been drawn in Group G alongside Italy, New Zealand and Slovakia. Although they have never won 2 games in the same finals, Bet365 are offering 7/4 on their getting to the last 16. Betfred see their reaching the semi-finals at 14/1 whilst an outright win of the World Cup trophy can be had at 66/1 with Coral.
Posted: Wednesday, April 28th, 2010 @ 10:04 pm by Mark
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