Previewing the Copa http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/America-c38390 candidates – Analysing group B: Special Feature (Part 2)
After elaborating on Brazil’s squad strength and their chances of retaining the Copa America title in 2011, it is now time to take a look at the rest of the teams in group B and ascertain their chances...
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Paraguay-c2979
Always the bridesmaid but never the bride, Paraguay do well in the Copa America but that is all they do. They fail at the final hurdle mostly which is a huge disappointment for a team which has an above average squad which should’ve won the Copa America more times over the past ten to fifteen years. However when the South American team takes on Brazil and co. in group B, they will be the favourites to progress past the group stages into the knock out stages. Paraguay did well in the FIFA 2010 World Cup where they were knocked out by the eventual winners http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011 in the quarterfinals of the competition.
Paraguay have won Copa America two times in their history. Their first win in this competition came when it was called the South American championship in 1953. Their second victory came in 1979. However what is particularly disappointing for Paraguay is the fact that they have lost in the final of the competition five times which is only third to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Uruguay-c3035 with 6.
The current crop of players in the Paraguayan first team are capable of matching their continental counter parts but it remains to be seen whether they will have enough in the tank to go all the way to the final especially after a long and gruelling season.
Goalkeeping
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Captain-c8314. Villar is an extraordinary leader on the field and he exhibits his enthusiasm by constantly maintaining contact with his back line which helps Paraguay in keeping clean sheets and putting in solid defensive displays. Villar also excels in one-on-one situations and rarely makes an error which costs his team the match. Paraguay will need their captain to shine in Argentina if they want to make it to the last four teams of the tournament, something that they haven’t done in the last 20 years.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Defence-c38904
Alcaraz, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marcos-c23772 Caceres is most likely to line up in a much more defensive role.
Midfield
Victor Caceres, Riveros, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Santana-c32502 are more creative of the four central midfielders. Riveros is a box-to-box player who feeds off his tremendous stamina which is always a key factor for Paraguay in their attempt to hit teams on the counter attack.
Strikers
Nelson Valdez, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roque-c31776 Santa Cruz who is a crowd favourite in his home country. The former Manchester City star has not seen much first team action over the past year or so but he is set to make an impactful return to international football at Copa America. Valdez’s direct approach to football is set to be another key element of Paraguay’s attack which is more than capable of causing an upset in Group B.
To be continued in part 3...
The views expressed by the writer are his own and do not reflect the editorial policy of www.bettor.com
Tags: