Sudamericano 2013: Bolivia vs Paraguay preview

Bolivia vs Paraguay
Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza
17/01/2013, 17:45 (20:45 GMT)

Despite losing their previous game against Chile, Paraguay’s destiny is in their own hands as they take on Bolivia tonight. A win and they qualify at the expense of their opponents and hosts Argentina. With that in mind we may see a Bolivian side ‘incetivised’ to win and let’s hope there is no skullduggery or foul play (Copa Sudamericana final springs to mind).

Miguel Almirón is yet another quality defensive midfielder to have come off the conveyer belt – Photo: Selección Paraguaya de fútbol

Rodrigo Alborno impressed as a substitute in the previous game and he should find a starting spot on the left hand side of midfield with Balbuena being rested. In defence there may be changes with Paredes, Gomez and Perez having started all three games, fatigue is of course an issue for these youngsters. Paraguay’s problem so far has been working in units across the pitch, there is a need for more intergration with midfield and attack. We’ve seen the proof that when they win the ball high up they have the technical capability to put together excellent offensive moves; the problem comes when they recover possession in their own half as there is rarely a striker dropping deep or a simple midfield option and the ball is quickly lost. Paraguay must get tighter against Bolivia to ensure they don’t leave huge holes in middle of the park.

Rodrigo Alborno equalises against Chile – Photo: ABC

Bolivia prepared extensively for this tournament but following a famous draw with Argentina they crashed to a six-nil defeat against Colombia which must have destroyed confidence. They will want to beat Paraguay to try and qualify and they will have plenty of support from the home side who will want a draw or a narrow Bolivia win to give Argentina a hope of progressing.

Paraguay XI (possible): Diego Morel; Matias Perez, Gustavo Gomez, Junior Alonso; Jorge Rojas, Iván Ramirez, Miguel Almirón, Rodrigo Alborno; Derlis Gonzalez, Cecilio Dominguez, Bryan Montenegro

Prediction: Assuming it is a level playing field, Paraguay will win 4-2

By Ralph Hannah

World Cup Qualifiers: Bolivia vs Paraguay Preview

Bolivia vs Paraguay
Estadio Hernando Siles
09/06/2012, 16.00 hs (21.00 BST)

Finally, after all the talk, all the hype and all the acclimatising the crunch World Cup Qualifier between Bolivia and Paraguay is upon us. The game has taken on huge significance following the albirroja’s relatively slow start to the campaign and Chiqui Arce will be under fire if Paraguay fail to win having spent one month in La Paz acclimatising. The support of the APF (Paraguayan FA) and the clubs who released their players early will vanish if the Guaraní don’t get the right result.

Paraguay training in La Paz – Photo: Prensa Selección Paraguaya

Arce will set his side up in a 4-4-2 formation hoping to keep possession and frustrate the Bolivians, that is the Chiqui way and while it didn’t work against Peru or Chile in the previous qualifiers away from Asunción the system should have been drummed into the players after a month of training. The team is likely to be domestic-based players with a spine of old warhorses starting in goal with Justo Villar, supported by central defender Paulo Da Silva, central midfielder Cristian Riveros and hard-working striker Nelson Haedo Valdez. Aureliano Torres was recalled and the left back will have a key role to play from set pieces as the ball can often take a deceptive trajectory in the thin La Paz air.

Paulo Da Silva & Justo Villar are stalwarts of la selección – Photo: Prensa Selección Paraguaya

Bolivia are trying to bounce back from the disappointment of the lacklustre display against Chile and are boosted by the return of star striker Marcelo Martins although they lost Juan Carlos Arce to injury. Coach Gustavo Quinteros had previously organised the Andean side very well and they frustrated Argentina last year in Buenos Aires. The problem with the verde is more psychological and has plagued them historically, if they concede the first goal heads will drop and a comeback is unlikely. Paraguay will undoubtedly be looking to score early on to break Bolivia mentally in this battle of the continent’s two landlocked nations.

Marcelo Martins is Bolivia’s star

Paraguay Probable XI: Justo Villar; Ricardo Mazacotte, Adalberto Román, Paulo Da Silva, Aureliano Torres; Eduardo Aranda, Cristian Riveros, Eric Ramos, Osvaldo Martínez; Nelson Haedo, Pablo Zeballos

Prediction: Bolivia were poor against Chile at home and their home advantage has been hugely reduced by the acclimatisation of the away team, Chiqui Arce is aware his job could be riding on this game and his team will come through for him, 0-1

SELECTED ODDS: Bolivia win 2.8, Draw 3.35, Paraguay win 2.74, 0-1 scoreline 8.4, Under 2.5 goals 1.69

BEST BET: Hard to look past the away win at that price

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Stats

For a more complete set of statistics take a peek at the Bolivia vs Paraguay Stat Attack – here are the head-to-heads taken from there:

Head-to-Head

Paraguay vs Bolivia Overall

Pld 64 W 32 D 17 L 13 GF 122 GA 62

Paraguay vs Bolivia World Cup Qualifiers

Pld 14 W 8 D 3 L 3 GF 28 GA 13

Paraguay vs Bolivia World Cup Qualifiers in Bolivia

Pld 7 W 1 D 3 L 3 GF 7 GA 10

Paraguay vs Bolivia all competitions in La Paz

Pld 15 W 2 D 6 L 7 – only wins were WCQ in 1974 and friendly in 1977

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Paraguay Squad

For full analysis on the squad you can check out my piece here.

Goalkeepers: Justo Villar (Estudiantes LP, Argentina), Diego Barreto (Cerro Porteño, Paraguay), Antony Silva (Deportes Tolima, Colombia), Joel Silva (Guaraní, Paraguay).

Full backs: Ricardo Mazacotte (Nacional, Paraguay), Tomás Bartomeus (Guaraní, Paraguay), Aureliano Torres (Toluca, México), Elvis Marecos (Guaraní, Paraguay).

Centre Backs: Paulo Da Silva (Zaragoza, España), Adalberto Román (Palmeiras, Brasil), Julio Manzur (Guaraní, Paraguay), Luis Cardozo (Cerro Porteño, Paraguay).

Midfielders: Jorge D. Núñez (Once Caldas, Colombia), Hernán Pérez (Villarreal, España), Marcos Riveros (Nacional, Paraguay), Fidencio Oviedo (Cerro Porteño, Paraguay), Cristian Riveros (Kayserispor, Turquía), Eric Ramos (Rubio Ñu, Paraguay), Jorge Mendoza (Guaraní, Paraguay), Eduardo Aranda (Olimpia, Paraguay), Osvaldo Martínez (Atlante, México).

Strikers: Nelson Haedo (Rubín Kazán, Rusia), Pablo Zeballos (Olimpia, Paraguay), Edgar Benítez (Cerro Porteño, Paraguay), José Ortigoza (Sol de América, Paraguay), Luis Nery Caballero (Olimpia, Paraguay), Lorenzo Melgarejo (Pacos de Ferreira, Portugal)

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By Ralph Hannah

Author’s Note: All odds via Betfair and correct at the time of writing

World Cup Qualifiers: Five things Chiqui Arce can take from Round 5

The fifth round of CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers have finished with Argentina moving to the top of the table having previously shared the lead with Uruguay and Venezuela. At the bottom Perú stay in penultimate position while Bolivia are in their habitual place propping up the table despite having played two games at home.

Chiqui Arce could use some pointers – Photo: Prensa Selección Paraguaya de Futbol

Chiqui Arce was, of course, watching Bolivia in La Paz on Saturday and sent Edgar Bogado to Montevideo to spy on Venezuela while Osvaldo Cohener was in Buenos Aires to watch Paraguay’s next but one opponents, Argentina. These are five things Paraguay can take from the recent round of games in South America.

1. Acclimatisation to altitude the right tactic

The plan to take the Paraguay squad to La Paz 3,640 metres above sea level to acclimatise to the altitude seems to have been justified by Chile’s win. Claudio Borghi didn’t take his team for as long as Chiqui Arce nor to La Paz, they were in Calama at 2,260 metres, but the away side seemed very comfortable in the Hernando Siles. The timing of Chile’s two goals proved they didn’t run out of steam in the thin air, finding the net in stoppage time at the end of the first half and seven minutes from the final whistle.

2. It is time for a Messi plan

When I interviewed Chiqui Arce in September last year before the qualifiers began I asked if he had a plan for the world’s best player Lionel Messi. The answer didn’t appear in the interview because he responded with a question “When do we even play Argentina?” Arce asked his head of press. After another destructive performance from ‘La Pulga’ in the albiceleste of Argentina running from deep time and again at Ecuador’s defence it is certainly something for Arce to mull over. Paraguay are Argentina’s next opponents in Córdoba on September 7th and while the Paraguayan coaching staff think about containing Messi they will want to try and stop him linking with Gonzalo Higuain, the pair have been in scintillating form.

3. Away points are vital

History suggests a team needs 25 points to qualify from the CONMEBOL group, make that 22 considering there are less games this time round. That means Paraguay will need to win their five remaining home games and pick up a win on the road. In the likelihood that they drop points at home (they still have to face Argentina and Chile) they really need two victories away from home. One of Paraguay’s direct rivals, Colombia, have already taken six points from six as the visiting side.

4. Venezuela: Don’t believe the hype

The vinotinto are on eight points after five games which puts them in the qualification zone but are they really going to be a threat? In the 2010 campaign they began in similar fashion, seven points from the first five, before losing four consecutive games to effectively end their chances. The game with Chile in Puerto Ordaz will be key and Paraguay will be keeping a close eye on the team they beat in the Copa América semi-finals who are their next adversaries in Asunción. There is no doubt Venezuela are a strong side but one the albirroja can overcome.

Rondon celebrates for Venezuela

5. Score the first goal

It may sound obvious but Bolivia really lost the plot once they fell behind to Chile, their coach Gustavo Quinteros has the side well-drilled but there seems to be a problem with mentality with the players representing the Andean nation. The second half saw a series of poor challenges aimed mostly at Chile’s Alexis Sanchez and the Bolivians finished the game with ten men. It isn’t only the negative effect the first goal will have on their opponents, as pointed out previously Paraguay have won 88% of games since June 2010 when they score first.

By Ralph Hannah

World Cup Qualifiers: Bolivia vs Paraguay stat attack

Before the kick off in La Paz on Saturday 9 June we have put together some vital statistics about Bolivia and Paraguay ahead of their World Cup Qualifying match. Next week, the day before the game we will have the usual preview with team news and the odds and predicitions.

Form Guide

Paraguay last 5 games

Pld 5 W 4 D 0 L 1 GF 8 GA 4

Paraguay vs Panama

Paraguay last 5 away games

Pld 5 W 2 D 0 L 3 GF 6 GA 7

Paraguay last 5 World Cup Qualifiers

Pld 5 W 1 D 1 L 3 GF 3 GA 6

Paraguay last 5 away World Cup Qualifiers

Pld 5 W 1 D 1 L 3 GF 4 GA 8

Head-to-Head

Paraguay vs Bolivia Overall

Pld 64 W 32 D 17 L 13 GF 122 GA 62

Paraguay vs Bolivia World Cup Qualifiers

Pld 14 W 8 D 3 L 3 GF 28 GA 13

Paraguay vs Bolivia World Cup Qualifiers in Bolivia

Pld 7 W 1 D 3 L 3 GF 7 GA 10

Paraguay vs Bolivia all competitions in La Paz

Pld 15 W 2 D 6 L 7  - only wins were WCQ in 1974 and friendly in 1977

Paraguay vs Bolivia all competitions in Asunción

Pld 20 W 15 D 3 L 2 Win rate 75%

Paraguay overcame Guatemala with ease

Scoring

Paraguay results having scored the first goal (since June 2010)

Pld 17 W 15 D 2 L 0 – the last time Paraguay scored first and lost was WCQ away to Brazil in 2009

Paraguay results  having conceded the first goal (since June 2010)

Pld 12 W 0 D 3 L 9 – the last time Paraguay conceded first and won was WCQ at home to Uruguay in 2003

Paraguay’s goal scorers in World Cup Qualifiers since 2007

Salvador Cabañas x 6

Nelson Haedo Valdez x 5

Crisitian Riveros x 4

Roque Santa Cruz x 3

Oscar Cardozo x 2

Paulo da Silva x 2

Richard Ortiz

Dario Verón

Edgar Benitez

Néstor Ayala

Paraguay’s goalscorers in last ten matches

Edgar Benitez x 3

Oscar Cardozo x 2

Richard Ortiz

Cristian Riveros

Dario Veron

Julio Manzur

José Ortigoza

Ariel Bogado

Jonathan Santana

Ricardo Mazacotte

Nestor Camacho

Altitude

Paraguay’s results at altitude (over 2500 metres above sea level) since 2000

Paraguay’s World Cup Qualifer against Ecuador

Bogotá – Pld 4 W 4 D 0 L 0

Quito – Pld 3 W 0 D 1 L 2

La Paz – Pld 3 W 0 D 1 L 2

By Ralph Hannah

Author’s Note: Head-to-Head records taken from FIFA.com which occassionally omits games they don’t consider full internationals

Special thanks to Tim and Rubén for pointing me in the right direction and fact-checking

World Cup Qualifiers: Chiqui Arce’s Paraguay squad for acclimatisation

This will be the first World Cup Qualifier this blog has covered in his (or her?) young life so we will do a series of posts, starting with an analysis of the 27-man squad chose for acclimatisation in La Paz. This is, of course, a unique situation not just the altitude but the fact that Paraguay have three-weeks to get used to the thin air thanks to the APF’s decision to suspend the league for a month and Brazil hosting the World Cup which means Paraguay have no game scheduled before the Bolivia match*.

At the bottom is a full list of the Paraguay and Bolivia squads for the game but here we are going to go through some of the major talking points and try to explain why some people were included and why some were left out.

Four Goalkeepers: It seems very strange to name four goalkeepers in a squad, one will certainly be dropped before the official squad is given to FIFA. The extra man seems to be in the likely event that Justo Villar is unfit to play, the veteran hasn’t been anywhere near the Estudiantes squad and has been beset with injury problems this year. The  most likely starter is Cerro Porteño’s Diego Barreto.

Diego Barreto – Photo: paraguay.com

New Faces: 21-year-old Lorenzo Melgarejo’s excellent season for Paços de Ferreira where he notched ten league goals means the striker is included for the first time, you can see a profile on the striker here. He has previously represented the U20s side. Eduardo Aranda of Olimpia has been handed an opportunity, the right midfielder is probably in there for a more defensive option to somebody like Hernan Pérez, his best moment has to be that goal against Flamengo in Rio de Janeiro.

Melgarejo in the U20s – Photo: abc.com.py

Surprise Recalls: Central defender Adalberto Román debuted under Gerardo Martino back in 2009 but hasn’t had a great time since leaving his native soil. In River Plate he will be remembered for conceding the penalty that contributed to their relegation and has made just one appearance for Palmeiras since joining. Villarreal’s right winger Hernan Pérez hasn’t been considered since Arce took charge but his resurgence in form in the final stages of the season has earned the coach’s favour. The left-back position has been a long-term problem for Paraguay solved for just two games by the excellent Richard Ortiz who then fell injured so Arce has resorted to calling up Aureliano Torres again. Reports suggest he has had a decent season for Toluca in Mexico and he does possess and quality deadball delivery that could come in useful.

Adalberto Román has had a tough time since leaving Libertad – Photo: Télam

Absentees: Niggly injuries have kept out regulars Antolín Alcaraz, Dario Verón, Roque Santa Cruz and Oscar Cardozo while issues with Juventus and scheduling means Marcelo Estigarribia wasn’t considered. The creative midfielder Julio Dos Santos was left out as Arce doesn’t want to take him while he is playing out of position, even when playing as an ‘enganche‘ he might not have been picked. The two most interesting absentees are strikers Lucas Barrios and Robin Ramirez. Today the team’s doctor Manuel Aguilar suggested that Barrios was not up to playing at altitude because he had suffered playing there previously and they don’t think he’ll be able to acclimatise so there is no point risking him. As for Ramirez it is surprising that the topscorer in the Colombian league and a firm favourite of Chiqui’s while at Rubio Ñu has missed out. This author would suggest he is similar quality to the four local-based strikers that have been chosen but is currently playing, and thriving, at a higher level so it is a surprise he wasn’t given a seat on the plane.

Robin Ramirez won’t wear the Albirroja this time

Where are Libertad’s players? Libertad have refused to release any players to the national team due to their Copa Libertadores Quarter Final tie against Universidad de Chile. This is perfectly within their rights as the squad is being mobilised outside of a FIFA international window and the APF have accepted the decision owing to the importance of the game for Paraguayan domestic football.

Strengths: The bulk of the squad (16/27) are domestic-based players that have been working together for two days a week for the almost five months now, that breeds a lot of understanding and they should play the way Arce wants. The three-week acclimatisation is  obviously a huge boost not just physically but mentally as many teams go there beaten the moment they step off the plane. I also think there is a lot of pace in this side up front, Pablo Zeballos, Nelson Haedo and Edgar Benitez can all unsettle the Bolivian defence.

Zeballos (left) can be dangerous – Photo: D10.com.py

Weaknesses: The defence is lacking key players in Alcaraz, Verón, Ortiz and Carlos Bonet which is a real blow, the full back position looks very week and other than Paulo da Silva none of the centre defenders are international standard.

My XI (4-4-2): Diego Barreto; Tomás Bartomeus, Paulo Da Silva, Adalberto Román, Elvis Marecos; Hernan Perez, Cristian Riveros, Eric Ramos, Osvaldo Martinez; Nelson Haedo, Lorenzo Melgarejo

PARAGUAY FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Justo Villar (Estudiantes LP, Argentina), Diego Barreto (Cerro Porteño, Paraguay), Antony Silva (Deportes Tolima, Colombia), Joel Silva (Guaraní, Paraguay).

Full backs: Ricardo Mazacotte (Nacional, Paraguay), Tomás Bartomeus (Guaraní, Paraguay), Aureliano Torres (Toluca, México), Elvis Marecos (Guaraní, Paraguay).

Centre Backs: Paulo Da Silva (Zaragoza, España), Adalberto Román (Palmeiras, Brasil), Julio Manzur (Guaraní, Paraguay), Luis Cardozo (Cerro Porteño, Paraguay).

Midfielders: Jorge D. Núñez (Once Caldas, Colombia), Hernán Pérez (Villarreal, España), Marcos Riveros (Nacional, Paraguay), Fidencio Oviedo (Cerro Porteño, Paraguay), Cristian Riveros (Kayserispor, Turquía), Eric Ramos (Rubio Ñu, Paraguay), Jorge Mendoza (Guaraní, Paraguay), Eduardo Aranda (Olimpia, Paraguay), Osvaldo Martínez (Atlante, México).

Strikers: Nelson Haedo (Rubín Kazán, Rusia), Pablo Zeballos (Olimpia, Paraguay), Edgar Benítez (Cerro Porteño, Paraguay), José Ortigoza (Sol de América, Paraguay), Luis Nery Caballero (Olimpia, Paraguay), Lorenzo Melgarejo (Pacos de Ferreira, Portugal).

BOLIVIA FULL SQUAD

Thanks to the excellent Futgol3d website for this list – just one interesting thing to note, Pablo Escobar is Paraguayan by birth nationalised by Bolivia:

1. Daniel Vaca – The Strongest

2. Sergio Galarza – Blooming

3. Carlos Lampe – San Jose

4. Luis Mendez – The Strongest

5. Christian Vargas – San Jose

6. Edemir Rodriguez – Bolivar

7. Ronny Jimenez – Real Potosi

8. Ronald Rivero – Blooming

9. Gabriel Valverde – Bolivar

10. Luis Gutierrez – Bahia (Brasil)

11. Abdon Reyes – Bolivar

12. Jose Carlo Barba – Aurora

13. Juan Carlos Arce – Bolivar

14. Gualberto Mojica – Oriente Petrolero

15. Alejandro Chumacero – The Strongest

16. Edson Zenteno – Aurora

17. Walter Flores – Bolivar

18. Jose Luis Chavez – Blooming

19. Rudy Cardozo – Bolivar

20. Jhasmany Campos – Bolivar

21. Miguel Loaiza – San Jose

22. Ricardo Pedriel – Sivvaspor (Turquia)

23. Marcelo Martins – Gremio (Brasil)

24. Alcides Peña – Oriente Petrolero

25. Pablo Escobar – The Strongest

26. Augusto Andaveris – Aurora

27. Carlos Saucedo – San Jose

By Ralph Hannah

*The CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers are not drawn randomly they have a specific order, Paraguay always play Brazil at home before the Bolivia away game.

International friendly: Paraguay maintain perfect record in 2012

Guatemala vs Paraguay
Estadio Mateo Flores
(0-1) 0-1 Ricardo Mazacotte 6′

An early goal from debutant Ricardo Mazacotte secured Paraguay’s second consecutive 1-0 win and fourth straight victory to maintain their 100% record in 2012. It also marked a morale-boosting away win for Chiqui Arce’s side following three defeats on the road as all eyes now turn to La Paz and the forthcoming World Cup Qualifier against Bolivia.

Mazacotte celebrates his winner - Photo: D10.com.py

Paraguay fielded one change from the starting eleven confirmed in the preview as Salustiano Candia was injured in the warm up and replaced by Guaraní’s Julio Manzur. The albirroja started brightly, comfortable in possession and enjoying the time and space offered by their rivals. After just six minutes they had profited via a set piece, Fernando Gimenez curled in a teasing corner for his fellow debutant Mazacotte to head in almost unmarked. The travelling side should have doubled that lead just five minutes later when José Ariel Nuñez, a problem for the home defense throughout, broke into the box and squared to strike partner Edgar Benitez. His shot was charged down quickly by the goalkeeper to roll out for a corner.

Guatemala to their credit tried to play football and attack but didn’t have the quality on the ball to really harm Paraguay, in general shots were from distance and crosses were calmly cleared by an organised rearguard. The only moment of hope for the local crowd was when Pescadito Ruiz tumbled in the box as he squeezed between two Paraguay defenders, the referee saw through his deception and correctly booked the player for diving.

Paraguay celebrate another win - Photo: ABC.com.py

In the second half the pace slowed and it was a turgid affair with neither side able to carve out many clear cut chances, the albirroja were more comfortable in possession but with the lead had no urgency. Guatemala on the other hand simply didn’t have anybody capable of imposing themselves on the game or even somebody with pace to try and pull Paraguay out of shape on the break. Maybe the highlight was the introduction of Eduardo Echeverría of Sportivo Carapeguá who became the club’s first full international. It also completes a remarkable story for the man who was playing futsal in Carapeguá just last year before being invited to train with the first team. Today he is a full international and joint topscorer in the Paraguayan Primera División, what a turnaround for the 22-year-old left footer.

After the game Chiqui Arce stated he was pleased with the performance on the whole and as ever emphasised the importance of keeping the ball as much as possible and being patient. Ball possession will be key in Bolivia as Paraguay will want to impose themselves on the Bolivians and avoid an end-to-end game which, even after three weeks of altitude acclimitisation, will favour the Andeans. The majority of this squad is likely to travel and it has been all but confirmed that Paulo Da Silva will join up with the squad, there are rumours too that Lucas Barrios could be given the all clear to travel. That would be a major boost to the Guaraní to have somebody of his talent available.

Paraguay XI: Diego Barreto; Ricardo Mazacotte, Pablo Aguilar, Julio Manzur, Tomás Bartomeus; Jorge Núñez, Jorge Mendoza, Eric Ramos, Fernando Giménez; José Ariel Núñez, Edgar Benítez.

Subs: Reinaldo Ocampo for Jorge Núñez, Marcos Riveros for Edgar Benítez, Willian Mendieta for  Jorge Mendoza, Pablo Velázquez for José Ariel Núñez, Joel Silva for Diego Barreto, Eduardo Echeverría for Fernando Giménez

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OFF THE BALL

Nationalisation on the agenda

Although there was some rubbish in the press about Chiqui Arce not selecting nationalised players in his early squads (it was purely coincidence) there is no doubt that Arce, like previous manager Gerardo Martino is ready to field any eligible player. Last night’s goalscorer Ricardo Mazacotte for example was born in Formosa, Argentina on the border of Paraguay, while midfielder Jorge Medoza was also born there. With the APF set to introduce the foreigner cap in the local league, the big clubs are considering nationalising players to help reduce their over-subscribed quota. This could mean that in the near future Paraguay  could call up the services of Vladimir Marín, Sergio Orteman and Maxi Biancucchi. Jonathan Fabbro has regularly expressed his desire to play international football and is set to become a Paraguayan national in August of this year.

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Chiqui the CONCACAF bully

Last night was Paraguay’s fifth game against a CONCACAF side since Chiqui Arce took the reins and their fifth victory. Paraguay have scored nine goals and conceded just one against her Central American neighbours.

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By Ralph Hannah

Paraguay Abroad: Its raining goals in América & Barrios is Bundesliga bicampeón

The major news is that Borussia Dortmund were crowned Bundesliga champions for the second year running which means another title for Paraguay’s Lucas Barrios. Admittedly it hasn’t been a vintage season for the striker, according to ABC he has made just two starts this season featuring in only 327 minutes of football and scoring a solitary goal, but it is another winner’s medal for the CV as the striker looks to move on in the (European) summer.

Back on these shores and there were goals in Colombia, Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela from eight Paraguayans making it nine worldwide (Cristian Riveros netted a penalty in Turkey). You can see a handy compilation video here. As ever the full details are below.

PARAGUAY ABROAD ROUND UP

EUROPE

England

Antolin Alcaraz (Wigan Athletic) – played full 90 mins in 2-1 defeat

Portugal

Oscar Cardozo (Benfica) – played full 90 mins in 4-1 win – Benfica closing in on title

Javier Cohene (Paços de Ferreira) - played full 90 mins in 1-1 draw

Lorenzo Melgarejo (Paços de Ferreira) – played full 90 mins in 1-1 draw

Julio Aguilar (Paços de Ferreira) – Not in match squad

Juan Manuel Iturbe (Porto) - Not in match squad

Italy

Edgar Barreto (Palermo) – Not in match squad

Marcelo Estigarribia (Juventus) - Not in match squad

Spain

Roque Santa Cruz (Real Betis) – subbed off after 71 mins in 4-0 defeat

Hernan Perez (Villarreal) – subbed off after 81 mins in 1-1 draw

Paulo Da Silva (Real Zaragoza) – played full 90 mins  1-0 loss

Germany

Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dortmund) – Unused Sub

Turkey

Cristian Riveros (Kayserispor) – SCORED penalty in 2-1 win as Kayserispor qualify for Intertoto Cup

Holland

Celso Ortiz (AZ) – Injured

Roberto ‘Gatito’ Fernandez (Utrecht) – Unused Sub

Russia

Nelson Haedo Valdez (Rubin Kazan) – not in match squad

Switzerland

Dario Lezcano (FC Luzern) – played full 90 mins in 3-1 win

Slovakia

Jorge Salinas (Trencin) – played full 90 mins in 2-1 victory

Cyprus

Aldo Adorno (APOEL) – Unused sub

LATIN AMERICA

Argentina

Jorge Achucarro (Banfield) – Unused sub

Orlando Gaona Lugo (Boca Juniors) – Not in match squad

Eduardo Ledesma (Lanús) – subbed off after 90 mins in 0-0 draw

Victor Aquino (Newell’s) - Not in match squad

Nestor Bareiro (Olimpo) – subbed on after 53 mins in 1-0 loss

Marcos Cáceres (Racing) – played full 90 mins in 1-0 win

Federico Santander (Racing) - played full 90 mins in 1-0 win

Nestor Ortigoza (San Lorenzo) – played full 90 mins in 1-1 draw

Mexico

Fredy Bareiro (Estudiantes Tecos) – Not in match squad

Aureliano Torres (Toluca) – played full 90 mins in 2-2 draw – missed out on Liguilla

Dario Verón (PUMAS) – injured

Osvaldo Martinez (Atlante) – played full 90 mins in 1-1 draw

Bolivia

Aquilino Villalba (Aurora) – SCORED second consecutive goal in 4-1 defeat

Hugo Sebastian Gimenez (Guabira) – Unused sub

Francisco Antonio Argüello (Oriente Petroleo) – played full 90 mins in 4-1 victory

Gustavo David Arce (Real Mamore) – played full 90 mins in 0-0 draw

Luis Gustavo Lugo (Real Mamore) – Unused sub

Henry William Lapczyk (Real Potosí) – played full 90 mins in 3-3 draw

Claudio Centurión (Real Potosí) – SENT OFF in 3-3 draw

Ernesto Ruben Cristaldo (The Strongest) – subbed on after 45 mins in 3-3 draw

Pablo Daniel Escobar (The Strongest) – SCORED twice in 3-3 draw later SENT OFF

Delio Ramon Ojeda (The Strongest) – Not in match squad

Chile

José David Portillo (Antofagasta) – played full 90 mins in 4-0 defeat

Fabian Benitez (Audax Italiano) – not in match squad

Miguel Angel Cuellar (Cobresal) – played full 90 mins in 1-0 loss

Hugo Lusardi (Cobreloa) – Not in match squad

Pedro Vera (Cobreloa) - Not in match squad

Derlis Barrios (Cobreloa) - Not in match squad

Osmar Molinas (Colo Colo) – Not in match squad

Cristian Bogado (Dep. Iquique) – Not in match squad

Cristian Limenza (Dep. Iquique) – Unused sub

Milton Benitez (Huachipato) – Not in match squad

Rodrigo Rojas (O’Higgins) – SCORED for second game running in 5-0 victory

Rodrigo Riquelme (Palestino) – Unused sub

Roberto ‘Bufalo’ Ovelar (Uni. Catolica) – SCORED opener in 3-0 win

Cristian Britez (Uni. Concepción) – played full 90 mins in 1-1 draw

Arnaldo Gimenez (Unión La Calera) – Unused Sub

Colombia

Digno Gonzalez (Atletico Huila) – Unused sub

Robin Ramirez (Dep. Tolima) – SCORED stoppage time winner in 2-1 victory

Antony Silva (Dep. Tolima) – played full 90 mins in 2-1 victory

Edison Gimenez (La Equidad) – Not in match squad

German Centurion (Santa Fe) – No game at weekend

Jorge Nuñez (Once Caldas) – played full 90 mins in 1-0 defeat

Marcos Lazaga (Patriotas) – SCORED winner in 1-0 victory

Ecuador

Miguel Paniagua (Dtvo. Cuenca) – played full 90 mins in 1-0 defeat

Fernando Gimenez (Emelec) – subbed off at halftime in 2-1 loss

Librado Azcona (Independiente) - played full 90 mins in 4-1 win

Edgar Balbuena (Independiente) – played full 90 mins in 4-1 win

Richard Estigarribia (Independiente) – SCORED in 4-1 win

Enrique Vera (Liga de Quito) – Not in match squad

Arnaldo Vera (LDU Loja) – played full 90 mins in 1-0 victory

Mingo Martinez (Macará) – played full 90 mins in 2-0 defeat

Nestor Ayala (Técnico Universitario) – Not in match squad

Perú

Edgar Gonzalez (Alianza Lima) – played full 90 mins in 3-0 loss

Mario Villasanti (Inti Gas) – KEPT CLEANSHEET in 3-0 win

Oscar Díaz (Inti Gas) – played full 90 mins in 3-0 win

Ramon ‘Tacuarita’ Cardozo (León de Huánuco) – subbed on at halftime in 2-1 defeat

Fabio Ramos (Real Atlético Garcilaso) – played full 90 mins in 0-0 draw

Daniel Ferreira (Real Atlético Garcilaso) – Unused sub

Blas Lopez (Sport Huancayo) -played full 90 mins in 2-2 draw

Hector Sosa (Unión Comercio) – played full 90 mins in 2-1 defeat

Uruguay

Edison Torres (Liverpool) – SENT OFF in 2-1 loss

Venezuela

Luis Ovelar (Dptvo. Petare) – Not in match squad

Victor Ferreira (Caracas FC) – SCORED team’s opener in 3-2 loss

Fidel Perez (Caracas FC) – Not in match squad

By Ralph Hannah

Paraguay Abroad: Guaraní reign on other side of Chaco in Bolivia

With only Hernan Perez scoring in Europe (now has two in two for the yellow submarine) the major talking point was just north of the border in Bolivia where three of our pioneers got on the scoresheet. There was also a first league goal for ex-Rubio Ñu striker Digno Gonzalez and a goal in Chile for Rodrigo Rojas who is putting his Belgian nightmare behind him. In Argentina there were two scorers, Nestor Bareiro got an equaliser for Olimpo who went on to lose while Victor Aquino needed just five minutes as a sub to etch his name in the scorers books as Newell’s Old Boys (managed by ex-Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino) went joint top of the league. Full round up and all the goals below.

PARAGUAY ABROAD ROUND UP

EUROPE

England

Antolin Alcaraz (Wigan Athletic) – played full 90 mins in 2-1 win vs Arsenal – Wigan on incredible run to avoid relegation

Portugal

Oscar Cardozo (Benfica) – subbed on after 62 mins in 2-1 league cup final win

Javier Cohene (Paços de Ferreira) - No game at weekend

Lorenzo Melgarejo (Paços de Ferreira) - No game at weekend

Julio Aguilar (Paços de Ferreira) - No game at weekend

Juan Manuel Iturbe (Porto) – No game at weekend

Italy

Edgar Barreto (Palermo) – Games cancelled following death of Piermario Morosini

Marcelo Estigarribia (Juventus) –  Games cancelled following death of Piermario Morosini

Spain

Roque Santa Cruz (Real Betis) – subbed off after 77 mins in 1-0 victory

Hernan Perez (Villarreal) – SCORED opener in 1-1 draw following his last minute winner midweek!

Paulo Da Silva (Real Zaragoza) – played full 90 mins in crucial 1-0 win to try and avoid relegation

Germany

Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dortmund) – Unused Sub

Turkey

Cristian Riveros (Kayserispor) – now in SporToto Cup so hard to find line ups

Holland

Celso Ortiz (AZ) - Not in match squad

Roberto ‘Gatito’ Fernandez (Utrecht) – Unused Sub

Russia

Nelson Haedo Valdez (Rubin Kazan) – subbed off after 59 mins in 2-0 defeat

Switzerland

Dario Lezcano (FC Luzern) – played full 90 mins in 0-0 draw

Slovakia

Jorge Salinas (Trencin) – played full 90 mins in 2-2 draw

Cyprus

Aldo Adorno (APOEL) – No game this weekend

LATIN AMERICA

Argentina

Jorge Achucarro (Banfield) – subbed on after 72 mins in 3-0 loss

Orlando Gaona Lugo (Boca Juniors) – Not in match squad

Eduardo Ledesma (Lanús) – subbed on after 48 mins in 1-0 win

Victor Aquino (Newell’s) – SCORED last minute goal in 3-0 victory, Newell’s now joint top!

Nestor Bareiro (Olimpo) – SCORED in 2-1 defeat

Marcos Cáceres (Racing) – subbed on after 61 mins in 4-1 derby defeat

Federico Santander (Racing) – Unused sub

Nestor Ortigoza (San Lorenzo) – played full 90 mins in 1-1 draw

Mexico

Fredy Bareiro (Estudiantes Tecos) – Not in match squad

Aureliano Torres (Toluca) – subbed off at HT in 3-0 loss

Dario Verón (PUMAS) – injured

Osvaldo Martinez (Atlante) – played full 90 mins in 2-1 defeat

Bolivia

Aquilino Villalba (Aurora) – SCORED second in 4-0 win

Hugo Sebastian Gimenez (Guabira) – Not in match squad

Francisco Antonio Argüello (Oriente Petroleo) – played full 90 mins in 3-2 loss

Gustavo David Arce (Real Mamore) – SCORED opener in 2-1 loss

Luis Gustavo Lugo (Real Mamore) – Unused sub

Henry William Lapczyk (Real Potosí) – played full 90 mins in 3-2 win

Claudio Centurión (Real Potosí) –  SCORED WINNER in 3-2 victory

Ernesto Ruben Cristaldo (The Strongest) – subbed on after 84 mins in 3-1 win

Pablo Daniel Escobar (The Strongest) – subbed off after 84 mins in 3-1 win

Delio Ramon Ojeda (The Strongest) – Not in match squad

Chile

José David Portillo (Antofagasta)  - played full 90 mins in 2-1 win

Fabian Benitez (Audax Italiano) – not in match squad

Miguel Angel Cuellar (Cobresal) – played full 90 mins in 2-1 loss

Hugo Lusardi (Cobreloa) – Not in match squad

Pedro Vera (Cobreloa) – played full 90 mins in 1-0 loss

Derlis Barrios (Cobreloa) – subbed off after 59 mins in 1-0 loss

Osmar Molinas (Colo Colo) – Not in match squad

Cristian Bogado (Dep. Iquique) – Not in match squad

Cristian Limenza (Dep. Iquique) – Unused sub

Milton Benitez (Huachipato) – Not in match squad

Rodrigo Rojas (O’Higgins) - SCORED header in 2-1 loss

Rodrigo Riquelme (Palestino) – SUSPENDED

Roberto ‘Bufalo’ Ovelar (Uni. Catolica) – played full 90 mins in 1-1 draw

Cristian Britez (Uni. Concepción) – played full 90 mins in 2-2 draw

Arnaldo Gimenez (Unión La Calera) – Unused Sub

Colombia

Digno Gonzalez (Atletico Huila) – SCORED in 3-1 defeat his first goal in the Liga Postobon

Robin Ramirez (Dep. Tolima) – subbed off after 83 mins in 1-1 draw

Antony Silva (Dep. Tolima) – played full 90 mins in 1-1 draw

Edison Gimenez (La Equidad) – Not in match squad

German Centurion (Santa Fe) – subbed on after 88 mins in 1-0 win

Jorge Nuñez (Once Caldas) – subbed off after 59 mins in 1-1 draw

Marcos Lazaga (Patriotas) – subbed off after 70 mins in 2-0 defeat

Ecuador 

Miguel Paniagua (Dtvo. Cuenca) - played full 90 mins in 2-1 defeat

Fernando Gimenez (Emelec) – Not in match squad

Librado Azcona (Independiente) - CLEANSHEET  in 2-0 win now top of the league

Edgar Balbuena (Independiente) - played full 90 mins in 2-0 win now top of the league

Richard Estigarribia (Independiente) – subbed off after 86 mins in 2-0 win now top of the league

Enrique Vera (Liga de Quito) – Not in match squad

Arnaldo Vera (LDU Loja) – played full 90 mins in 2-1 win

Mingo Martinez (Macará) – played full 90 mins in 3-0 defeat

Nestor Ayala (Técnico Universitario) – Not in match squad

Perú

Edgar Gonzalez (Alianza Lima) - played full 90 mins in 1-0 win

Mario Villasanti (Inti Gas) – played full 90 mins in 2-2 draw

Oscar Díaz (Inti Gas) - played full 90 mins in 2-2 draw

Ramon ‘Tacuarita’ Cardozo (León de Huánuco) – Not in match squad

Fabio Ramos (Real Atlético Garcilaso) - played full 90 mins in 2-0 victory

Daniel Ferreira (Real Atlético Garcilaso) – Unused sub

Blas Lopez (Sport Huancayo) -played full 90 mins in 2-2 draw

Hector Sosa (Unión Comercio) – played full 90 mins in 1-1 draw

Uruguay

Edison Torres (Liverpool) – played full 90 mins in 2-0 win, have 7 victories in last 8

Venezuela

Luis Ovelar (Dptvo. Petare) – Not in match squad

Victor Ferreira (Caracas FC) – subbed off after 71 mins in 1-0 loss

Fidel Perez (Caracas FC) - Not in match squad

By Ralph Hannah

Salvador Cabañas: Five favourite memories

Tomorrow Salvador Cabañas will be on the bench for his hometown club, 12 de Octubre of Itaguá, if he takes to the field of play it will be his first competitive match since being shot in the head on 25th January 2010 in Mexico City. Rather than go over that fateful night again or guess about how he gets on (honestly I have no idea) I just wanted to share my five favourite memories (very personal to me) of a true Paraguayan idol and why he was such a special player. Please put some of your favourite Cabañas memories in the comments below, in English or Spanish!

1. Paraguay vs Bolivia, Estadio Defensores del Chaco,   5 September 2009

A dull game, won by one-goal to nil – a penalty from El Mariscal on the stroke of halftime which was his last ever strike on Paraguayan soil. I was in the Graderia Sur that evening and while it was Cabañas’ last goal it was a personal first for me, the first football match I attended with my then girlfriend and now wife.

Cabañas last goal in Paraguay as seen from the stands

2. Paraguay vs Uruguay, Estadio Defensores del Chaco, 17 October 2007

Two years previously I was sat amongst a bunch of English friends in Graderia Sur again, Paraguay’s first home game of the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign and the first time I saw Cabañas in the flesh. He didn’t score that night but was the albirroja’s stand out player and made the goal by pouncing on Diego Lugano’s poor header before flicking the ball over the head of another Uruguayan defender and passing to Nelson Haedo Valdez for the winner.

3. Paraguay vs Brazil, My parent’s house, 15 June 2009

I remember settling down to this qualifier one (European) summer evening  with my younger brother, I’d been raving about Salvador Cabañas to him and of course this game got my sibling hooked. Paraguay outplayed their illustrious opponents to win 2-0, the first goal was from Roque Santa Cruz set up by a wonderful backheel from Cabañas who then scored the second goal just after halftime.

4. CF América vs Santos, The internet, 15 May 2008

The only player to finish topscorer in consecutive years in the Copa Libertadores is Salvador Cabañas, this was the second season he did it for América and with two goals in the quarter finals that showed his incredible chest control. The first from a corner that evaded everybody and found the Itagueño at the back post, he chested it down then poked it past the goalkeeper. The second was a raking long ball, Cabañas in behind the defence and brought the ball down perfectly with his chest before finishing. His goals that year meant they extracted revenge on Santos who had knocked the Mexicans out the previous year in the last 16.

5. Paraguay vs Ecuador, Estadio Defensores del Chaco, 2011

The time when I finally got to touch the great man who was being introduced to José Luis Chilavert by the President of the Paraguayan FA (APF), Juan Angel Napout. A man who had never forgotten about Cabañas since the shooting and always invited him to games often as the guest of honour and had no objection to him training with the national team something which Cabañas did regularly in 2011.

I was right behind them, honest!

By Ralph Hannah

Paraguay Abroad: Dario Lezcano back amongst the goals in Switzerland

There were ten albirroja goalscorers outside of Paraguay’s frontiers this weekend inlcuding Robin Ramirez in Colombia, Aureliano Torres in Mexico just some of those who found the net in Latin America, while across the Atlantic there were strikes by Roque Santa Cruz and Nelson Haedo Valdez in Europe, and also Dario Lezcano for Luzern in Switzerland who we focus on this week.

Player Stats

Name: Dario Lezcano

D.o.B: 30 June 1990

Club: FC Luzern, Switzerland

Hometown: Asunción, Paraguay

Height: 1.78 metres

Position: Striker

Previous Clubs: Sportivo Trinidense (Paraguay), FC Wil, FC Thun (both Switzerland)

Dario Lezcano hardly played in his native country before being whisked away to Europe aged 18 where he settled in St.Gallen and FC Wil. While not scoring he played regularly over the three years, improving as a player before getting a move to FC Thun at the beginning of 2011. There he enjoyed a successful year, scoring key goals like this equaliser against Palermo in the Europa League.

Dario Lezcano - Photo: Wikipedia.org

Earlier this year he moved on to another Swiss club, FC Luzern where he has started excellentely scoring a double in his second game against Young Boys, the second a real cracker. His equaliser against Basel this weekend has taken him to 4 goals in 8 games for his new club. A feature of his play is his strong running and power which allows to get him into the box where he is deadly with the ball at his feet. His current form can help Luzern qualify for European competition where once again Lezcano can show the continent his credentials.

PARAGUAY ABROAD ROUND UP

EUROPE

England

Antolin Alcaraz (Wigan Athletic) – played full 90 mins in 2-1 defeat to Chelsea

Portugal

Oscar Cardozo (Benfica) – played full 90 mins in 1-0 loss

Javier Cohene (Paços de Ferreira) – SCORED winner in 2-1 victory

Lorenzo Melgarejo (Paços de Ferreira) – played full 90 mins in 2-1 victory

Julio Aguilar (Paços de Ferreira) – Not in match squad

Juan Manuel Iturbe (Porto) – Unused Sub

Italy

Edgar Barreto (Palermo) – played full 90 mins in 2-0 loss

Marcelo Estigarribia (Juventus) -  played full 90 mins in 2-0 win

Spain

Roque Santa Cruz (Real Betis) – SCORED opener in 3-1 win

Hernan Perez (Villarreal) – Not in match squad

Paulo Da Silva (Real Zaragoza) – played full 90 mins in 4-1 loss to Barcelona

Germany

Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dortmund) – Unused Sub

Turkey

Cristian Riveros (Kayserispor) – played full 90 mins in 5-0 win

Holland

Celso Ortiz (AZ) - No game at weekend

Roberto ‘Gatito’ Fernandez (Utrecht) – No game at weekend

Russia

Nelson Haedo Valdez (Rubin Kazan) – SCORED equaliser in 1-1 draw

Switzerland

Dario Lezcano (FC Luzern) – SCORED equaliser in 1-1 draw

Slovakia

Jorge Salinas (Trencin) – played full 90 mins in 5-2 win

Cyprus

Aldo Adorno (APOEL) – subbed off after 56 mins in 2-1 loss

LATIN AMERICA

Argentina

Jorge Achucarro (Banfield) – Unused sub

Orlando Gaona Lugo (Boca Juniors) – Not in match squad

Eduardo Ledesma (Lanús) – played full 90 mins in 1-0 loss

Victor Aquino (Newell’s) – subbed on after 61 mins in 1-1 draw

Nestor Bareiro (Olimpo) – subbed on after 80 mins in 2-1 defeat

Marcos Cáceres (Racing) – subbed on after 51 mins in 1-1 draw

Federico Santander (Racing) – subbed on after 70 mins in 1-1 draw

Nestor Ortigoza (San Lorenzo) – played full 90 mins in 1-1 draw

Mexico

Fredy Bareiro (Estudiantes Tecos) – SCORED equaliser in 1-1 draw

Aureliano Torres (Toluca) – SCORED opener in 2-1 loss

Dario Verón (PUMAS) – injured

Osvaldo Martinez (Atlante) – played full 90 mins in 2-1 defeat

Bolivia

Aquilino Villalba (Aurora) – SCORED opener in 3-1 win

Hugo Sebastian Gimenez (Guabira) – subbed on after 75 mins in 3-1 loss

Francisco Antonio Argüello (Oriente Petroleo) – played full 90 mins in 2-1 victory

Gustavo David Arce (Real Mamore) – played full 90 mins in 4-0 defeat

Luis Gustavo Lugo (Real Mamore) – Unused sub

Henry William Lapczyk (Real Potosí) – played full 90 mins in 2-1 win

Claudio Centurión (Real Potosí) –  played full 90 mins in 2-1 win

Ernesto Ruben Cristaldo (The Strongest) – subbed on after 65 mins in 4-0 win

Pablo Daniel Escobar (The Strongest) – SCORED in 4-0 win

Delio Ramon Ojeda (The Strongest) – Unused sub

Chile

José David Portillo (Antofagasta)  - played full 90 mins in 2-1 loss

Fabian Benitez (Audax Italiano) – not in match squad

Miguel Angel Cuellar (Cobresal) – played full 90 mins in 2-0 loss

Hugo Lusardi (Cobreloa) – Not in match squad

Pedro Vera (Cobreloa) – played full 90 mins in 5-1 defeat, now lost 6 of last 7

Derlis Barrios (Cobreloa) – Not in match squad

Osmar Molinas (Colo Colo) – Unused sub

Cristian Bogado (Dep. Iquique) – Not in match squad

Cristian Limenza (Dep. Iquique) – Unused sub

Milton Benitez (Huachipato) – Not in match squad

Rodrigo Rojas (O’Higgins) - played full 90 mins in 2-1 win

Rodrigo Riquelme (Palestino) – SENT OFF in 2-0 defeat

Roberto ‘Bufalo’ Ovelar (Uni. Catolica) – SCORED in 5-1 victory

Cristian Britez (Uni. Concepción) – played full 90 mins in 2-0 win

Arnaldo Gimenez (Unión La Calera) – Unused Sub

Colombia

Digno Gonzalez (Atletico Huila) – Not in match squad

Robin Ramirez (Dep. Tolima) – SCORED in 2-2 draw, now has 3 in last 4

Antony Silva (Dep. Tolima) – played full 90 mins in 2-2 draw

Edison Gimenez (La Equidad) – Not in match squad

German Centurion (Santa Fe) – Not in match squad

Jorge Nuñez (Once Caldas) – Not in match squad

Marcos Lazaga (Patriotas) – played full 90 mins in 2-0 defeat

Ecuador 

Miguel Paniagua (Dtvo. Cuenca) - played full 90 mins in 2-1 win, have picked up 4 victories in last 5

Fernando Gimenez (Emelec) – Not in match squad

Librado Azcona (Independiente) - played full 90 mins in 2-1 win

Edgar Balbuena (Independiente) - played full 90 mins in 2-1 win

Richard Estigarribia (Independiente) – subbed off after 87 mins in 2-1 win

Enrique Vera (Liga de Quito) – Not in match squad

Arnaldo Vera (LDU Loja) – played full 90 mins in3-2 win

Mingo Martinez (Macará) – played full 90 mins in 1-1 draw

Nestor Ayala (Técnico Universitario) – Not in match squad

Perú

Mario Villasanti (Inti Gas) – played full 90 mins in 2-1 win

Oscar Díaz (Inti Gas) – played full 90 mins in 2-1 win

Ramon ‘Tacuarita’ Cardozo (León de Huánuco) – Not in match squad

Fabio Ramos (Real Atlético Garcilaso) - played full 90 mins in 0-0 draw

Daniel Ferreira (Real Atlético Garcilaso) – Unused sub

Blas Lopez (Sport Huancayo) – played full 90 mins in 3-1 loss

Hector Sosa (Unión Comercio) – played full 90 mins in 0-0 draw

Uruguay

Edison Torres (Liverpool) – played full 90 mins in 2-1 win, have 6 victories in last 7

Venezuela

Luis Ovelar (Dptvo. Petare) – no game at weekend

Victor Ferreira (Caracas FC) – no game at weekend

Fidel Perez (Caracas FC) - no game at weekend

By Ralph Hannah