Spain edge past resolute Paraguay !

Spain set up a potentially thrilling semi-final meeting with Germany but the European champions had to do it the hard way, requiring a lone second-half strike from David Villa to claim a 1-0 win over a resilient Paraguay 1-0 at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park. The goal saw Villa take an outright lead in the race for the adidas Golden Boot with five goals but the match was as much a tale of two failed spot-kicks, one for each side.

Vicente del Bosque fielded an unchanged Spanish line-up to that which defeated neighbours Portugal 1-0 four days ago. Conversely, Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino made six changes to the team which squeezed past Japan on penalties. Left out were his trio of misfiring strikers, with Roque Santa Cruz, Edgar Benitez and Lucas Barrios all consigned to the bench.

Both sides went into the match aiming for new heights. Spain clinched a top-four finish in 1950 in a round-robin final stage but they have never competed in a FIFA World Cup™ semi-final, while Paraguay had already achieved a first by progressing past the Round of 16.

If Spain were feeling complacent, then one of the new faces in La Albirroja’s forward line, Jonathan Santana, provided an early wake-up call by forcing Iker Casillas into a save in the opening minute. Paraguay didn’t allow Spain to settle and successfully disrupted their normally crisp passing game during the first half. The in-form Villa only rarely found space on the left flank in the early stages, while at the other end Nelson Valdez looked dangerous whenever Paraguay made forays forward.

Spain midfielder Xavi took matters into his own hands on the half-hour mark with a wonderful snap-shot; the dipping volley from 25 yards clearing the crossbar with goalkeeper Justo Villar scrambling. Minutes later at the other end, Santana narrowly failed to connect with a diving header from a Claudio Morel cross. Valdez then had the ball in the net four minutes before the break only to see his effort disallowed for offside as Paraguay finished the first half in a positive frame of mind.

The second half commenced in similar fashion to the first period, with neither goalkeeper under threat until a remarkable period around the hour-mark. The drama began when Gerard Pique wrestled Oscar Cardozo to the ground as a corner, Paraguay’s first of the night, was played in from the left. Cardozo looked set to give La Albirroja a stunning lead from the penalty spot against the European champions only for skipper Casillas to rescue his side with a superb diving save to his left.

Within 60 seconds, Antolin Alcaraz was deemed to have bundled over Villa in the penalty area and Spain had their own chance from the spot. Xabi Alonso buried his spot-kick but Spanish joy was shortlived, with a retake ordered for encroachment. This time Villar dived low to his left and parried Alonso’s effort, and Paraguay scrambled the rebound to safety.

Minutes later, Andres Iniesta hit a curling effort that was well blocked by Villar, and it was indeed to be the Barcelona midfielder who proved the difference in the decisive moment of the match seven minutes from time. Budweiser Man of the Match Iniesta made a driving run from midfield, teeing up Pedro, whose shot hit Villar’s right-hand post before rebounding to Villa. The Spain No7 accepted the gift, placing his effort against the left-hand post but eventually nestling into the net, but only after rebounding off the opposite post.

In the final minute, Casillas saved his side with a double block from Santa Cruz and Barrios, while Villa was similarly denied by the impressive Villar in a lighting counter-attack.

Martino: We're in with a great chance

(FIFA.com) Tuesday 29 June 2010

Getty Images

As Paraguay attempt to reach the FIFA World Cup™ quarter-finals for the first time in their history, their Argentinian coach Gerardo Martino has been speaking to FIFA about his team’s exploits in South Africa. The 47-year-old has led the South Americans since 2007 and in the eyes of many, his clear thinking and positive attitude have been two of the major factors in guiding Los Guaraníes to the brink of history.

Such is the high esteem in which he is held by his players, Martino has successfully managed to change La Albirroja’s style of play from his early days, and the squad has been quick to acknowledge the coach’s foresight in helping them become a potent force in South American football. Now more aggressive and adventurous in attack, but with the same miserly defence, the Paraguayans are dangerous opponents for any team in South Africa.

Attacking adventure and defensive discipline helped Martino’s men cut a swathe through South American qualifying and they have not stopped there. In the first stage they topped Group F, leaving reigning champions Italy in their wake, and they have now set their sights on glory in the knockout stages. But Paraguay's opponents in Tuesday’s last 16 game, Japan, have FIFA World Cup ambitions of their own.

In an exclusive interview with FIFA, Martino spoke openly of his respect for Japan and the satisfaction he gets from working with such a talented crop of Paraguayan players. The feeling of respect between coach and players is, it seems, mutual.

FIFA: This is a historic opportunity for Paraguay. How do you see the game going?
Gerardo Martino: Yes, it’s a great opportunity. Personally I think we can make history in one of two ways. Either we play well, really well, even if we lose, or we just win regardless of the performance.

Japan present a very distinct challenge, and play in a markedly different way to the teams you faced in the group stage. What are you expecting from them?
Every team plays in a different way. The thing is, this is the first game where we know that the winner takes all. That changes things completely because as well as dealing with the opposition, we will have to keep our nerve.

They are unselfish, they don’t play for themselves, they are dedicated, not only in games but also in training.

Gerardo Martino pays tribute to his players

And what are you expecting from your own team?
I want us to be aggressive and to win back possession quickly. I want us to be positive in possession as well because sometimes when we play we have problems in that regard. We need to improve that side of our game. But putting pressure on them to win the ball back is key. We need to get at them, and fortunately that positive aggression is something we have in our team.

Speaking to the players, they all say that you give them a lot of confidence in themselves, and the belief that they can beat anybody on their day. Is confidence an important part of your approach?
I am always honest with my players from the outset. I speak from the heart when I analyse their strengths and weaknesses and that means that I can speak to them easily. It’s true that there are teams with better players than us but I also think that we have tremendous team spirit something which, in my opinion, can balance out better technical ability on the part of other teams.

After a long time in Paraguayan football, you know the players very well. How would you describe the typical Paraguayan player?
Someone who brings a lot to the team and works hard. They are unselfish, they don’t play for themselves, they are dedicated, not only in games but also in training. I’ve always said that the typical Paraguayan footballer gives a coach self-belief, because they play with such intensity that you can’t help but feel that you really have prepared them very well. In truth, that doesn’t have anything to do with the Paraguayan FA, but simply to do with the attitude of the players. And you see that out on the pitch. Every single one of them puts his ego to one side to fight for the team as a whole.

That work ethic can only come from unity within the squad, and that seems to be the hallmark of your team. How have you managed to achieve that in only one month, and in a different country?
It’s something that we emphasise to the players. The FA gives the players the very best. We don’t want to think that any of us, from the medical staff to the admin staff, have got anything wrong. We know that we have the country’s best players here with us and so we have to treat them accordingly. When we first got together we spoke to them a lot about unity and the fact that we would be together for 60 days. We knew that a few things would crop up, and that we would have to sort everything out amongst the squad. The conversation we had with the players was very positive although we had to see them put our plans into practice. And they have done that to a degree that has gone way beyond my expectations.

Paraguay-Japan !

History will be made whatever the outcome when Paraguay meet Japan in the Round of 16 – for whoever prevails in Pretoria will advance to the FIFA World Cup™ quarter-finals for the first time. Having gone beyond the group stage on three of their past seven finals appearances, Gerardo Martino's Paraguay will be determined to build on their success in finishing top of Group F against a Japan side through to the knockout phase for the first time on foreign soil.

The match
Paraguay-Japan, Tshwane/Pretoria (Loftus Versfeld Stadium), 29 June, 16.00

Previously famed for their tenacious rearguard, Paraguay are not just about defence, their 4-3-3 formation including the vastly-experienced Roque Santa Cruz in attack alongside Borussia Dortmund duo Lucas Barrios and Nelson Valdez. Yet they also carry a scoring threat from midfield as Enrique Vera and Cristian Riveros showed when each scored in their 2-0 win over Slovakia. Opponents Japan have shaken off the lacklustre form they showed in the build-up to this tournament to defeat Cameroon and Denmark en route to the last 16.

Coach Takeshi Okada's tactical gamble has paid off in style, with Keisuke Honda thriving in a new attacking role. Behind him, Yasuhito Endo and Kakoto Hasebe have bossed the midfield and Japan showed against Denmark that their armoury includes a distinct set-piece threat – two of their three goals coming direct from free-kicks. Of course their tireless approach also gives them a seeming edge in fitness over some of their rivals. While there is likely to be no change in the Japan lineup, Paraguay have to make do without defensive midfielder Victor Caceres through suspension although centre-back Antolin Alcaraz could return after sitting out the last game through an ankle injury. It is the two sides' first match-up at the FIFA World Cup but they are by no means strangers having met six times previously. The South Americans have recorded two wins to Japan’s one, though the Asians prevailed in the most recent friendly in 2003.

Players to watch
Justo Villar v Keisuke Honda

Injured in the opening minutes of Paraguay's Germany 2006 campaign, Villar has been seeking to make amends this time and conceded just one goal during the group campaign. The 32-year-old Paraguay captain, however, will have to be wary of Japan's danger man Honda, the midfielder-turned striker who has scored twice so far. The 25-year-old CSKA Moscow man has quickly become Japan's new talisman over the past months, scoring six goals which led to six wins.

The stat
4 –South Africa 2010 marks the fourth FIFA World Cup for the 35-year-old Denis Caniza, who made his tenth finals appearance for Paraguay in the 0-0 draw with New Zealand. Hot on his heels are Roque Santa Cruz and Julio Cesar Caceres, who each made seven appearances during the past two FIFA World Cups.

What they said
"With their pace and agility, Japan are a team hard to play against. They have players who can change the direction of a game so we have to come out very focused and keep running throughout the game," Roque Santa Cruz, Paraguay forward.

'Paraguay's defence is compactly organised. They have physical strength but are also good on the ball. I think they will be difficult opponents," Yuki Abe, Japan midfielder.

fifa.com

Italy and Paraguay share spoils !

Holders Italy opened their 2010 FIFA World Cup™ campaign with a 1-1 draw against Paraguay in Group F on a rainy evening at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town.

Antolin Alcaraz shocked the Gemany 2006 champions in the 39th minute to open the scoring, while Italy’s Daniel De Rossi took advantage of some unconvincing goalkeeping by veteran Justo Villar to equalise just after the hour mark. New Zealand and Slovakia play the group’s other opening match tomorrow in Rustenburg.

The two teams were well-organised in the early stages despite the difficult conditions and neither could fashion a chance of note in the opening of the match. In the 22nd minute, however, the South Americans showed they would be dangerous on the break, finding Aureliano Torres all alone on the edge of the box. But the defender failed to hit his shot cleanly and Gianluigi Buffon let it run wide as Italian supporters held their breath.

Italy threatened shortly after as young midfielder Claudio Marchisio swung in a nicely flighted corner, but Cristian Riveros was first to it, stretching smartly to clear over his own crossbar with striker Vincenzo Iaquinta lurking.

Paraguay were again quickest from a dead ball situation six minutes before the break to open the scoring. Torres sent in a lovely free-kick, and defender Alcatraz cut in front of Daniel De Rossi and rose higher than Italian captain Fabio Cannavaro to thump a header past the stranded Buffon.

At half-time the Squadra Azzurri got more bad news as Buffon retired hurt for Federico Marchetti, who won just his sixth cap between the sticks. But the four-time FIFA World Cup winners began stronger after the restart, and an unmarked Simone Pepe might have scored at the far post from Gianluca Zambrotta’s cross, but he could not connect with an ambitious overhead kick.

Pepe had another chance in the same spot just minutes later, but Villar caught it just in front of the charging Italian. However, the keeper was keft completely stranded in the 63rd minute when he came out to collect Pepe’s corner, only to miss the ball and watch helplessly as De Rossi flicked it simply into the empty net.

The momentum swung solidly in Italy’s favour after that, but Villar came up strongly for the South Americans. First, he claimed the ball well in front of Iaquinta from a similar looking corner to the one he missed, and then in the 80th minute, he held Pepe’s low shot in front of the eager Italian attack. And he continued his redemption three minutes later, as he saved to his right to claimRiccardo Montolivo’s long but skipping shot.

Italy next play New Zealand on Sunday in Nelspruit, while Paraguay take on Slovakia the same day in Mangaung/Bloemfontein.

fifa.com