Paraguay national football team

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Paraguay

Nickname

Guaraníes,
La Albirroja (White and red)

Association

Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol

Confederation

CONMEBOL (South America)

Head coach

Gerardo Martino (2007-)

Captain

Carlos Humberto Paredes

Most caps

Carlos Gamarra (110)

Top scorer

José Saturnino Cardozo (25)

Home stadium

Estadio Defensores del Chaco

FIFA code

PAR

FIFA ranking

Highest FIFA ranking

8 (March 2001)

Lowest FIFA ranking

103 (May 1995)

Elo ranking

Highest Elo ranking

5 (1954)

Lowest Elo ranking

44 (August 1962)





First kit





Second kit

First international

Paraguay 1 - 5 Argentina

(Asunción, Paraguay; 11 March 1919)

Biggest win

Paraguay 7 - 0 Bolivia

(Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 30 April 1949)

Biggest defeat

Argentina 8 - 0 Paraguay

(Santiago, Chile; 20 October 1926)

World Cup

Appearances

7 (First in 1930)

Best result

Round 2, 1986, 1998, 2002

Copa América

Appearances

32 (First in 1921)

Best result

Winners, 1953 and 1979

Men's Football
Olympic medal record
Silver	2004 Athens	Team

See Wikinews article:

Paraguay beat Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 in Group B

The Paraguay national football team is the national team of Paraguay and is controlled by the Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol.The Paraguay national football team has reached the second round of the World Cup on three occasions (in 1986, 1998 and 2002) but has never advanced beyond that stage. Paraguay's only major tournament victories have come in the Copa América, in which they triumphed in 1953 and 1979. They also won a silver medal in the football tournament at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, being defeated 1-0 by Argentina in the final.

Paraguay's current squad is undergoing a transition because of the retirement of key players such as Carlos Gamarra, Francisco Arce , Celso Ayala, and that of world-famous goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert. Plus, several key players are now in the latter stages of their career, so Paraguay will be looking to harness talent amongst the younger generation if they are to maintain the increase in status they have achieved over the past decade. There is optimism that this can occur, as Paraguay's under-19 side won the Milk Cup in 2002, 2003 and 2006, and new young talent such as Nelson Valdez, Julio Dos Santos and José Montiel can help in the mentioned key transition to a new generation. Despite having great talent in Paraguay, recent matches have told otherwise. Disappointing losses to both Mexico and Colombia have once again highlighted the need to review their over-defensive tactics.

Paraguay are in Group C for the Copa América 2007 up against Colombia, USA and Argentina. Many are hinting that this could be a repeat of 1979, when Paraguay won just their second regional title. And with players like Julio Dos Santos, Justo Villar and Oscar Cardozo in their side, anything is possible for the Albirroja.

1 History
2 World Cup record
3 Copa América record
4 Pan American Games record
5 Most Paraguay caps
6 Top Paraguay goalscorers
7 Famous players
8 Notable Coaches
9 2006 World Cup Squad
- 9.1 2006 World Cup Information
10 External links

[edit] History

Paraguay participated in the first World Cup, organized by Uruguay. In the first round, Paraguay debuted and lost to the United States (0-3), to then defeat Belgium (1-0) with a goal by Luis Vargas Peña. Only one team was to advance from the group stage, and the US left Paraguay behind. Paraguay then returned to the World Cup in 1950 (at Brazil), failing to advance to the next round. Throughout their history they have proven to be a competitive force in South American football as two Copa América wins (1953 and 1979) and a silver medal at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games attest.

Paraguay surprisingly qualified ahead of Uruguay (beating them 5-0 in the decisive game) for the 1958 World Cup with a team that contained a formidable attacking lineup with stars such as Juan Aguero, Jose Parodi, Juan Romero, Cayetano Ré and Florencio Amarilla. In their first game in Sweden, Paraguay were 3-2 up against France in a game they lost 7-3. A 3-2 win over Scotland and a 3-3 draw with Yugoslavia saw Paraguay finish third in their group.

The departure of several of their stars for European football (mainly Spain) resulted in a weakening of Paraguay's football fortunes somewhat, but they were only edged out by Mexico in the 1962 qualifiers. Paraguay fell short in subsequent World Cup qualifying campaigns, but Copa América success (and that of one of its premier clubs Olimpia in the Copa Libertadores) sured up Paraguay as a solid player on the continent.

Paraguay ended a 28-year absence from the World Cup in 1986 with a team starring Roberto "Gato" Fernandez in goal; Cesar Zavala, Rogelio Delgado and Juan Bautista Torales in defense; Jorge Amado Nunez and Vladimiro Chetinna in midfield; midfield playmaker Romerito and strikers Roberto Cabañas, Ramon Angel Maria Hicks and Rolando Marciano Chilavert (older brother of Jose Luis Chilavert). In first round matches, Paraguay defeated Iraq (1-0, goal Romerito) and then tied Mexico (1-1, goal Romerito) and Belgium (2-2, both goals Roberto Cabañas). They reached the second round where they were beaten 3-0 by England.

A drought followed once again, as Paraguay failed to reach the Italy 1990 and USA 1994 World Cups. This drought ended, however, in grand fashion as the Albirroja reached the France 1998 World Cup by qualifying second in South America. The first round matches were against Bulgaria (0-0), Spain (0-0), and Nigeria (3-1; goals Celso Ayala, Miguel Benitez and Jose Cardozo). Paraguay qualified to the second round (Round of 16) to be defeated in a thrilling match against would-be World Champions France. France only scored through Blanc in minute 114, during the second half of overtime. Paraguay's central defending duo (Carlos Gamarra and Celso Ayala) and goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert were selected for the all-star World Cup team.

Paraguay returned to the World’s greatest stage once more in 2002. This time, the nation had to set their alarm clocks to wake them up in the middle of the night as the tournament was played in Korea and Japan. In their first match, Paraguay tied South Africa 2-2 (goals: Roque Santa Cruz and Francisco “Chiqui” Arce). Paraguay lost to Spain in the second game (1-3) and finally defeated Slovenia (3-1; goals Nelson Cuevas, twice, and Jorge Campos) to qualify for the second round. Germany ended Paraguay’s dreams there with an 88 minute goal.

In 2006, Paraguay qualified for its third World Cup in a row. This time, two early defeats against England and Sweden (both 0-1) sent the team home early. The only consolation was defeating Trinidad and Tobago during the last and final group game by 2-0. After the World Cup, Anibal Ruiz resigned as head coach, and was replaced by Raul Vicente Amarilla.

[edit] World Cup record

1930 - Round 1
1934 - Did not enter
1938 - Did not enter
1950 - Round 1
1954 - Did not qualify
1958 - Round 1
1962 to 1982 - Did not qualify
1986 - Round 2
1990 - Did not qualify
1994 - Did not qualify
1998 - Round 2
2002 - Round 2
2006 - Round 1

[edit] Copa América record

1916 to 1920 - Did not enter
1921 - Fourth place
1922 - Runners-up
1923 - Third place
1924 - Third place
1925 - Third place
1926 - Fourth place
1927 - Withdrew
1929 - Runners-up
1935 - Withdrew
1937 - Fourth place
1939 - Third place
1941 - Withdrew
1942 - Fourth place
1945 - Withdrew
1946 - Third place
1947 - Runners-up
1949 - Runners-up
1953 - Winners

1955 - Fifth place
1956 - Fifth place
1957 - Withdrew
1959 - Third place
1959 - Fifth place
1963 - Runners-up
1967 - Fourth place
1975 - Round 1
1979 - Winners
1983 - Semifinals
1987 - Round 1
1989 - Fourth place
1991 - Round 1
1993 - Quarterfinals
1995 - Quarterfinals
1997 - Quarterfinals
1999 - Quarterfinals
2001 - Round 1
2004 - Quarterfinals

[edit] Pan American Games record

1951 - Fifth place
1955 to 1983 - Did not compete
1987 - Round 1
1991 - Did not compete
1995 - Quarterfinals
1999 - Did not compete
2003 - Round 1

[edit] Most Paraguay caps

Player	Paraguay career	Caps (Goals)
Carlos Gamarra	1993-2006	110 (12)
Roberto Acuña	1993-2006	97 (5)
Celso Ayala	1993-2003	85 (6)
José Saturnino Cardozo	1991-2006	82 (25)
Roberto Fernández	1976-1989	78 (0)
Juan Bautista Torales	1979-1989	77 (1)
Denis Caniza	1996-2006	77 (1)
José Luis Chilavert	1989-2003	74 (8)
Estanislao Struway	1991-2002	74 (4)
Carlos Humberto Paredes	1998-present	71 (10)
Julio César Enciso	1995-2004	70 (2)

[edit] Top Paraguay goalscorers

Player	Paraguay career	Goals (Caps)
José Saturnino Cardozo	1991-2006	25 (82)
Saturnino Arrúa	1969-1980	13 (26)
Julio César Romero	1979-1986	13 (32)
Roque Santa Cruz	1999-present	13 (45)
Gerardo Rivas	1921-1926	12 (32)
Carlos Gamarra	1993-2006	12 (110)
Miguel Angel Benítez	1996-1999	11 (29)
Juan Bautista Villalba	1945-1947	10 (22)
Aurelio González	1924-1937	10 (23)
Carlos Humberto Paredes	1998-present	10 (71)

[edit] Famous players

[edit] Notable Coaches

[edit] 2006 World Cup Squad

No.	Pos.	Player	DoB/Age	Caps	Club
1	GK	Justo Villar	30 June 1977	40	Newell's Old Boys
2	DF	Jorge Núñez	22 January 1978	18	Estudiantes de La Plata
3	DF	Delio Toledo	10 February 1974	31	Kayserispor
4	DF	Carlos Gamarra(c)	17 February 1971	109	Palmeiras
5	DF	Julio César Cáceres	5 October 1979	35	Tigres UANL
6	MF	Carlos Bonet	2 October 1977	31	Libertad
7	FW	Salvador Cabañas	5 August 1980	15	America
8	MF	Edgar Barreto	15 July 1984	17	NEC Nijmegen
9	FW	Roque Santa Cruz	16 August 1981	45	Bayern München
10	MF	Roberto Miguel Acuña	25 March 1972	96	Deportivo de La Coruña
11	MF	Diego Gavilán	1 March 1980	39	Newell's Old Boys
12	GK	Derlis Gómez	12 November 1972	5	Sportivo Luqueño
13	MF	Carlos Humberto Paredes	16 July 1976	71	Sporting
14	DF	Paulo da Silva	1 February 1980	34	Club Toluca
15	DF	Julio Manzur	22 June 1981	14	Santos
16	MF	Cristian Riveros	16 October 1982	11	Libertad
17	MF	José Montiel	19 March 1988	6	Udinese
18	FW	Nelson Haedo Valdez	28 November 1983	14	Borussia Dortmund
19	MF	Julio Dos Santos	5 May 1983	19	Bayern München
20	FW	Dante López	16 August 1983	8	Genoa C.F.C.
21	DF	Denis Caniza	29 August 1974	77	Atlas
22	GK	Aldo Bobadilla	20 April 1976	8	Boca Juniors
23	FW	Nelson Cuevas	10 January 1980	37	America

José Cardozo was named in the original squad, but got injured during training sessions. He was replaced by Dante López. [1]

[edit] 2006 World Cup Information

Paraguay lost their first game of group B to England. The final score was 1-0 after David Beckham's free-kick was turned in by the Paraguay defender, Carlos Gamarra after 2 minutes and 44 seconds.

Paraguay lost their second game of group B and as a result were out of the world cup. They conceded to Sweden in the last moments of the game losing 1-0. The goal came from Arsenal winger Fredrik Ljungberg. Paraguay's final game of the world cup was against Trinidad and Tobago on the 20th of June in Kaiserslauten.

Paraguay got their first win of the tournament by defeating Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 in the third game of group B, played in Kaiserslautern. The goals were scored by Sancho (T&T own goal) at the 25th minute, and Nelson Cuevas at the 86th minute. Despite the win, Paraguay failed to qualify for the third consecutive time to the second round.

[edit] External links

Football in Paraguay
Paraguayan Football Association \| National team \| Women's National team \| First Division \| Second Division \| Third Division \| League system \| List of clubs \| Footballers \| Managers \| Stadiums \| Awards edit