2010 World Cup last 16 preview: Paraguay v Japan
What happens when an immovable object meets a destructive force? Unfortunately at the end of this game that conundrum will remain unanswered, as both of these sides could consider themselves as immovable objects.
Both sides have scored just seven goals between them and conceded three so far in the finals, which will probably keep the thrill seeker of a football fan away from this one.
But you can guarantee in Asunción and Tokyo, millions of football fans will be tuning in, in what is the biggest match in both countries footballing history.
Paraguay’s past achievements in World Cups could be likened to the contingent of British tennis player’s performances at Wimbledon; they never make it past the second round.
The list of the teams that have profited from Paraguay’s exit in previous second-round matches reads England, Germany and France and in every game the Latin Americans failed to score. So, a last-16 match against Japan, no disrespect, is the South Americans best chance of ending their run of being knocked out at this stage for the fourth time.
They go into the game as clear favourites after topping the group that saw the exit of reigning world champions Italy. The South Americans managed to go about their business in a style which was opposite to their South American counterparts Uruguay and Chile. What they lack in individual star quality, they more than make up for in determination and passion.
And baring the one mistake from their goalkeeper in the Italy game, Gerardo Martino’s side have rarely looked like conceding throughout the tournament.
Paraguay will be without Victor Ceceres who is suspended following two bookings in the group stage with Carlos Bonet likely to deputise.
Antolin Alcaraz missed their last match with a minor injury but should return in time for Tuesday's game and could return to the starting eleven.
What will be concerning Martino is that the South American's seemed to have lost their way in the attacking department after a disappointing display last time out which saw them draw with minnows New Zealand, so he may look to reshuffle his attacking options.
Martino realised they had played poorly, and a significant improvement can be expected in the crunch game against Japan.
"We were not very mobile and we were quite inaccurate against New Zealand," he said. "We had a lot of problems in an area where we didn't expect, and that was in attack. However, I think we had an excellent defensive aspect in the three matches, we were very good defensively.”
On the showing that Japan produced against a very dangerous Denmark side, which they won 3-1, Martino’s troops will need to not rest on their laurels, and continue their solid defensive form.
The demolition job that the Japanese gave to the Danes came as a shock to many, Takeshi Okada’s side were the outsiders of Group E, but beat both Cameroon and Denmark to qualify as runners-up.
Keisuke Honda, has been the star of the show for Japan so far, he showed some brilliant touches and led the line superbly against Denmark and he will need to be watched by the Paraguayan defence.
A major bonus for manager Takeshi Okada throughout the tournament is that he has managed to field the same team for every game so far after suffering no injuries or suspensions.
Okada is likely to stick with the same formation and players, and will be boosted by the news that centre-back Tanaka should be fit to play after recovering from a back injury despite training on his own since their last game.
So, what happens when an immovable object meets an immovable object? Yes, you’ve guessed it, not much.
This one could go all the way to penalties.
Prediction – Paraguay 0 Japan 0
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