2010 World Cup Preview Group F: Paraguay
By Ty Duffy
“Anyone who attempts to relate his life loses himself in the immediate. One can only speak of another.” – Augusto Roa Bastos
The Paraguayans have arrived. They qualified for their fourth consecutive World Cup. Most of their veteran squad has experience on this stage. They will hope that helps account for not having elite talent. This trip to South Africa is not about proving themselves, but taking the next step forward. They looked strong against Brazil and Argentina in qualifying and should be favorites to advance from Group F. The question is whether they can best their 1998 and 2002 performances and advance past the first knockout round.
Salvador Cabanas: Paraguay’s leading scorer in qualifying Salvador Cabanas, a star for Club America in Mexico, was shot in the head at a bar in Mexico City in January. He survived and has made an incredible recovery, but with lingering neurological issues he won’t return in time for South Africa. How Paraguay replaces his attacking threat may determine how far they go.
Form: Paraguay finished third in South American qualifying behind Chile and Brazil. They took seven points from four matches against Brazil and Argentina. Their sixteen goals were the second fewest allowed behind Brazil. The qualifying performance was admirable, but the friendly performances have disappointed lately. They lost 2-1 to Ireland yesterday. That follows draws to South Africa and the Netherlands and losses to Chile and at home to Qatar. They did beat North Korea 1-0.
Tactics: Gerardo Martino is an attack-minded manager, who has tried to infuse that mentality into a defensive Paraguayan squad. He’s generally a straight 4-4-2 man, but has dabbled occasionally with a 4-3-3. Martino lacks experience, so mid-game adjustments could be dicey, but if he can find the right balance between pragmatism and attack on the world stage, this team could be dangerous.
Squad: Justo Villar will hope for better luck in goal, after scoring an own goal and injuring himself in 2006. He was decent as Real Valladollid’s starter last season, though they were relegated from La Liga. The 32-year-old Villar is also the captain.
Paraguay has an experienced back line, all 30 or older. Sunderland’s Paulo Da Silva struggled in his first season in England, but played well for the national team. Julio Cesar Caceres will pair with him in the middle. Dario Veron “The Wizard” and set-piece specialist Claudio Morel Rodriguez should be the first choice fullbacks. You could also see longtime captain Dennis Cazina appear in his fourth World Cup.
Cristian Riveros is a dynamic central midielder, the only Paraguayan midfielder to score during qualifying. His linkup play is essential. He will be paired in the middle with Enrique Vera, a defensive midfielder. Converted Argentine Jonathan Santana is a versatile left midfielder, though has fallen out of favor at Wolfsburg of late. An X-factor could be 24-year-old Edgar Barreto. He’s an aggressive, tireless player on the right, great on crosses and set-pieces. The issue will be his health, as he has not appeared for Atalanta since last fall due to imjury.
His partner should be Borussia Dortmund’s Nelson Haedo Valdez who is more of a support striker than a goal poacher. Martino may opt for his more prolific teammate, newly converted Argentine Lucas Barrios or the Portuguese League’s top scorer Oscar Cardozo.
Prediction: Paraguay is the clear second favorite in the group, but as in Group C, the schedule could be significant. Paraguay plays Italy first and New Zealand last. Slovakia plays New Zealand first and Italy last. New Zealand should be considered a nailed down win for every team.
Conceivably, Paraguay could lose to Italy and draw with Slovakia. If that happens, the standings would be Italy (6pts), Slovakia (4pts) and Paraguay (1pt). A convenient draw would win the Group for Italy and secure a surprising advancement for Slovakia regardless of Paraguay beating New Zealand. If Paraguay beats Slovakia, they should advance easily. Meeting the Netherlands in the knockout round, however, may dash their hopes of besting previous finishes.
Interesting Fact: Paraguay is the world’s largest exporter of hydroelectric power.
Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece
Group C: England, United States, Slovenia, Algeria
Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana
Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
Group G: Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal
Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile