By Thales Machado, direct from Buenos Aires
Paraguay, along with Uruguay, are one of the teams that can take the title from the hands of old favourites Brazil and Argentina. The justification for this claim comes from a year ago, with the team’s performance in the 2010 World Cup. Placed in a tough group, leaving behind 2006 champions Italy, they then defeated Japan on penalties in the second round, before losing in the quarter-finals (the same stage as Brazil and Argentina) to eventual champions Spain.
For the 2011 Copa America, much of the World Cup squad remains, and this familiarity and togetherness is fundamental for Argentine coach Martino, who has a contract until the end of the competition and wants to leave the title as a mark for the Paraguayans.
“We are playing well and if we can play just as we did in the World Cup, collectively and individually, we will be able fight for the title,” he said.
Uruguay is considered the third strongest force traditionally in South American football, confirmed by their performance in South Africa last year, but in fact one could argue that Paraguay has been occupying that role in recent years. Along with Brazil and Argentina, the Paraguayans are the only South American side to qualify for every World Cup since 1998, in the difficult South American qualifying section. In 2010 they led the group for several rounds and only finished one point behind Brazil in the end.
In the Copa America, however, they have not been as strong in recent years. They have won the competition twice, but not since 1979, and have not reached the semi-finals since 1989, in the last Copa America held in Brazil. When Paraguay hosted the competition in 1999, they only managed to reach the quarter-finals. It is this stage of the competition that has proved to be the Achilles heel of Paraguay. In 2007, they were thrashed 6-0 by Mexico, and have been knocked out at the same stage in six of the last seven Copa America tournaments.
In order to finally progress beyond this stage and reach the semis, where they will try to beat Brazil or Argentina to reach the final in Buenos Aires, Martino has called together a team with players from big clubs, and experienced South American players from good European teams, such as the striker Lucas Barrios of Borussia Dortmund, and Hernan Perez of Villarreal. Martino knows that the group is not as good as those of the favourites, but can still compete:
“I believe we are very realistic in our intentions. Whenever we play, we do so as equals with anyone. And then we have to recognise that there are better selections individually and as a team as well. The intention is always to play as Paraguay, recognising the virtues of the rival, and our limitations and qualities.”
Paraguay is in Group B, alongside the great rivals Brazil along with Venezuela and Ecuador. Martino also took time to analyse the group:
“Ecuador has made a profound change in their squad and now has a very important base that stands out in America and Europe. Brazil made the biggest change, with the emergence of players such as Pato, Ganso, Lucas and Neymar, supported by a small group of experienced players like Lucio, Julio Cesar and Robinho. And Venezuela is the team that has a set-up most similar to ours, with a staff that is ahead of the team for some time with the players gradually appearing in the foreground.”
Paraguay are the favourites to finish in second place in their group, but also want to be the title favourites, break down barriers and bring the cup to Asuncion for the third time.
The Squad
Goalkeepers: Diego Barreto (Cerro Porteno, PAR), Roberto Junior Fernandez (Racing, ARG), Justo Villar (Valladolid, ESP).
Defenders: Antolin Alcaraz (Wigan Athletic, ENG), Marcos Caceres (Racing, ARG), Paulo da Silva (Real Zaragoza, ESP), Elvis Marecos (Guarani, PAR), Ivan Piris (Cerro Porteno, PAR), Aureliano Torres (San Lorenzo, ARG), Dario Veron (UNAM, MEX).
Midfielders: Edgar Barreto (Atalanta, ITA), Victor Caceres (Libertad, PAR), Nestor Ortigoza (San Lorenzo, ARG), Hernan Perez (Villarreal B, ESP), Cristian Riveros (Sunderland, ENG), Jonathan Santana (Kayserispor, TUR) Enrique Vela (LDU Quito, ECU).
Forwards: Pablo Zeballos (Olimpia, PAR), Lucas Barrios (Borrusia Dortmund, DEU), Marcelo Estigarribia (Newell’s Old Boys, ARG), Osvaldo Martinez (Atlante, MEX), Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City, ENG), Nelson Haedo Valdez (Hercules, ESP).
Group Stage
Ecuador, July 3 in Santa Fe
Brazil, July 9 in Cordoba
Venezuela, July 13 in Salta
Statistics:
FIFA Ranking: 23
Appearances in the Copa America: 33
Best performance: Winners in 1953 and 1979
Last Copa America: Lost 6-0 to Mexico in the quarter-finals
Follow the teams analysed by Sambafoot:
Group A:
Group B:
Don’t miss Sambafoot’s previews of the twelve competing teams. Next up is Venezuela, Brazil’s first opponents in the tournament.
