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Paraguay Team Information
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Paraguay - Team Profile
30/03/2006
Qualifiers for the third time in a row Paraguay are probably in their best position to date to upstage their more glamorous and well-known South American rivals. Coached by a Uruguayan, Anibal 'Mano' Ruiz has developed a team mixing European experience and hungry local talent. Knocked out by eventual winners France in 2002, Germany (the eventual runners-up) knocked them out in the last tournament in Japan and South Korea.
Now that legendary crazy keeper Jose Luis Chilavert has retired the goalkeeping gloves have been handed to Justo Villar who plays in the Argentine league for Newell's Old Boys. The defence includes Delio Toledo who is playing for Real Zaragoza in the Spanish league, Julio Cesar Caceres (on loan to River Plate from French club Nantes), veteran captain and penalty taker Carlos Gamarra (once quoted as saying "England are a great team, but not from outer space") as well as Mexican based Paulo De Silva, Jorge Núñez and Denis Caniza.
The midfield includes some players signed up with European clubs. Edgar Barreto plays in an improving NEC Nijmegan in Holland while Julios Dos Santos has recently joined Bayern Munich. Carlos Paredes looks to have booked his place with performances for Reggina in Italy while veteran Roberto Acuna should play a major role. Following a friendly against Iran Carlos Bonet, Cristian Riveros and young playmaker Jose Montiel improved their chances of being on the plane to Germany.
The forwards who have an assured position are Nelson Haedo, Jose Cardozo, Nelson Cuevas and Roque Santa Cruz from Bayern Munich (if he recovers from injury). Fringe players and other possibilities include Dante López, Salvador Cabañas, Juan Samudio, César Ramírez and Santiago Salcedo.