Paraguay Vs Northern Ireland match preview what can Santa Cruz do
TOURNAMENT ANALYSIS
World Cup groups are already drawn and fixed, with the final lucky 32 have already been measured and found worthy. That is why Northern Ireland has already taken their eyes off the World Cup finals and are focusing on more relevant and achievable goals to them like the Euro 2012. Northern Ireland failed to qualify and is bitter of the outcome of their final clash that they were eliminated by France.
Northern Ireland’s manager, the Italian national Giovanni Trapattoni, has his hopes banked on Euro 2012 and he is taking all the necessary steps to make sure he is not denied another opportunity to shine before the world stage again. France had a late hand ball goal score awarded in the dying minutes of the match, even after replays showed that Thierry Henry had handled the ball in the box and scored in what was likened to Maradona's “Hand of God” the controversial Maradona goal that denied England silverware in the 1986 world cup final.
Appeals to have the goal annulled fell on deaf ears, football officials turned their backs on Northern Ireland and failed to act on the incident. France was destined to miss the cup finals in South Africa and the play off was their final chance to turn around their fortunes. Ireland will be playing Paraguay and Algeria in upcoming weeks and is going to go in the pitch knowing they could have been equal opponents in South Africa had it not been for the unfortunate play against France.
Paraguay are going to the World Cup in June and are looking to sharpen their attacking claws and work on tightening their defenses in the preparation for the opening matches in South Africa.
Recent Form Northern Ireland
Ireland 0-2 Brazil, France 0-1 Ireland, Ireland 0-1 France, Ireland 0-0 Montenegro, Ireland 2-2 Italy
Recent Form Paraguay
Paraguay 1-0 North Korea Paraguay 1-1 South Africa Netherlands 0-0 Paraguay, Paraguay 0-2 Qatar.
Northern Ireland might not have gotten wins in the recent clashes but they came under strong teams and showed all the resilience to come out with worthy results.
Players Analysis
Northern Ireland
The Irish manager is likely to go to this match relying on his experienced players. He goes into this match with the only confirmed injury in the Irish side as the 18 year old Everton defender Shane Duffy whose injury nearly took his life away .He ruptured his hepatic artery in the training ground but is recovering well. His keeper Shay Given is injured and is most definitely going to be replaced by the Coventry keeper Kieren Westwood who is looking to win his fourth cap for his country. Paul Green, Shane Greg Cunningham and Keith Fahey are going to get a shot in their match against the Paraguayan national team
Paraguay
Sunderland’s Paulo da Silva ,Boca Juniors Claudio morel Rodriguez Manchester city Roque Santa Cruz are going to be in the squad to knock Northern Ireland the hardest and many more are going to more than willing to step up on for their countries pride.
Betting Tips
This is going to be the clash of the titans. Ireland is not coming into this game with any friendly mood as the match tags suggest, they are going to have a win in mind and they have all the talent to boast of. Paraguay are ranked #30 by FIFA and they are going to have all the right o fight for their pride. They will want to prove they are of the same caliber of Brazil and Italy whom they are going to meet in South Africa. Ireland has average odds of 2.46 and some bookies willing to offer up to 2.65 for them.
Paraguay has a slightly higher 2.68 odd with some bookmakers willing to go as high as 2.90.A draw is put at an average of 3.15 with a bookies going as high as 3.25. Whatever the outcome Paraguay is the clear favorites in the clash boasting a higher class and talent and highly regarded players in their roster.
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