Paraguay Abroad: Ivan Piris

News broke earlier today that Paraguayan right-back Ivan Piris will be moving from São Paulo to Sevilla, at least according to his agent Pedro Aldave. Here with give you the round-up on the former Cerro Porteño right back.

Ivan Piris

 D.o.B: 10 March 1989

 Height: 1.74 metres

 Position: Right back

 Weight: 75 kilos

 Club: Sevilla (Spain)

 Previous Clubs: Cerro Porteño, São Paulo (Brazil)

 Intl Appearances: 6

A product of Cerro Porteño’s excellent youth system Ivan Piris made his debut aged 18 back in 2008 and was an instant hit winning local broadcaster Teledeportes’ award for Revelation of the Year.  He was also part of the extremely talented Paraguay U-20s side that reached the World Cup in Egypt in 2009 playing every game of that tournament.

With tactical awareness and physicality aguably more important in defensive roles than attacking it maybe wasn’t a surprise that Piris didn’t really excel at club level until he had reached 21 years of age. With Cerro Porteño reaching the 2011 Copa Libertadores he was a a key figure in the side that reached the semi finals offering attacking options including one spectacular goal against Colo Colo but also lauded for his defensive performances particularly against Santos and Neymar (although the Brazilian would get his revenge).

The Copa Libertadores run coupled with solid performances in the league caught the eye of Santos’ bigger neighbours São Paulo FC who brought the defender to Brazil in the second half of 2011 to play the national championship. He also got the attention of then Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino who brought him into his Copa América squad and fielded the full back in several games including the final against Uruguay. He played one World Cup Qualifier under Chiqui Arce but wasn’t a favourite of the new coach although he will be hoping that the new appointment, almost certainly Gerardo Pelusso, coupled with his move to Europe will see him regain that spot.

The move to Sevilla may come as something of a surprise to Brazilian football fans as at best Piris has had a mixed career with SPFC, he started well especially showing attacking initiative  but more recently he has had some poor games defensively and there are those critics who say he was only signed on the basis of his performances vs Neymar.  However, this blog has always been a big fan of Iván Piris and thinks he can flourish in La Liga given enough time to adapt.

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

Copa Libertadores 2012: Nacional come back empty-handed from the East

Nacional vs Corinthians

Estadio Oddone Sarubbi

(0-1) 1-3 – Carlos Ruiz Peralta -68′, Jorge Henrique 29′, Emerson 52′, Elton 71′

Nacional’s hopes of qualifying from the group stages for the first time were dashed in Ciudad del Este by a rampant Corinthians side who progress to the knockout phase. In a stadium full of Corinthians fans, who had swarmed across the Paraguay/Brazil border during the afternoon to watch the game, the tricolor were made to feel as visitors in their designated home game. The crowd support seemed to give the Timão the push they needed to record their first away win in the Copa Libertadores this year.

Nacional battled hard but lost in CDE - Photo: D10.com.py

It was the Paraguayans who began brightly, Ricardo Teixeira was important in holding ball up and came close after five minutes with a header just wide from Marcos Riveros’ cross. On the ten minute mark Derlis Orué profited from a poor backpass which gave him space in the box to release a vicious shot, that was tipped over despite a deflection by the defender. But Corinthians were always a menace on the break especially with Emerson building attacks and running with pace at the Nacional rearguard. By the time captain Jorge Henrique opened the scoring on 29 minutes it was fair to say the goal had been coming although fingers were pointed at the reaction of Ignacio Don. The Argentinian goalkeeper was beaten at his near post by Henrique’s crafty shot from the edge of the penalty area. The final quarter of an hour was pockmarked by fouls from both sides and it was from a freekick that Nacional nearly equalised. Herminio Miranda rattled the crossbar from 30 yards having seen Julio Cesar was poorly positioned.

The second half began with a Brazilian onslaught which the Asunción side were unprepared for, the sheer pace of the game seemed to unbalance them. They were unable to reorganise the defence on 52 minutes as some incisive passing got the ball to Edenilson who danced through the backline and when he was knocked off the ball it was picked up by Emerson who took it round the keeper for a simple tap in. Other than a Ricardo Mazzacotte shot, expertly saved by the goalkeeper, the São Paulo club were cruising and it was somewhat of a shock when Nacional halved the lead. It came on 68 minutes through substitute Carlos Ruiz Peralta, a superb overhead kick after Silvio Torales’ shot had been saved. But before the small pocket of home fans had time to celebrate Emerson was at it again this time providing the third goal for Elton. Denis Caniza was unable to cut out a loose ball which rolled into the box, Emerson was alive to sprint past Marcos Miers who had switched off. His pass was turned in from a few yards by Elton and with that strike the Corinthians carnaval began.

They played out the final 20 minutes with total ease, Nacional are no Olimpia and they weren’t going to find three goals in 15 minutes, the only incident of note was a brief stoppage to the game to wait for the smoke of the Timão’s flares to clear. Corinthians continue their quest for a first continental title but for Nacional time is up. A dead rubber in Mexico City awaits and then it is back to the bread and butter of the domestic championship as they try and gather together points to qualify for 2013.

Nacional XI: I.Don; R.Mazacotte, H.Miranda, D.Caniza, M.Miers; D.Orué, J.Villarreal, M. Riveros, S. Torales; G.Cano, R.Teixeira

Subs: J.Gonzalez for D.Orué, C.Ruiz Peralta for M.Riveros, A.Bogado for R.Teixeira

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

Paraguay Abroad: Antolín Alcaraz leads the way

Wigan Atheltic’s 29-year-old central defender Antolín Alcaraz scored his first goal of the season for Wigan Athletic and his first goal in competitive football since the Copa América group game against Venezuela. The goal helped Wigan to their second consecutive win and they are now four games unbeaten as they desperately scrap for survival in the Premier League. Robin Ramirez scored again (Europe calling?) as did Miguel Angel Cuellar and Tacuarita Cardozo in Colombia, Chile and Perú. In Europe Paraguayans enjoyed plenty of success, Alcaraz, Oscar Cardozo, Nelson Haedo Valdez, Edgar Barreto, Roque Santa Cruz, Paulo Da Silva, Jorge Salinas and Aldo Adorno all participated in victories for their respective sides.

England

Antolín Alcaraz (Wigan Atheltic) – SCORED in 2-0 win

Portugal

Oscar Cardozo (Benfica) – subbed off after 64 mins in 2-1 victory

Lorenzo Melgarejo (Paços de Ferreira) – played full 90 mins in 3-1 loss

Javier Cohene (Paços de Ferreira) – subbed on in 63rd minute in 3-1 loss

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

Juan Manuel Iturbe (Porto) – Unused Sub

Italy

Edgar Barreto (Palermo) – played full 90 mins in 3-1 win

Marcelo Estigarribia (Juventus) – Not in match squad

Spain

Roque Santa Cruz (Real Betis) – subbed off after 78 mins in 2-0 victory

Hernan Perez (Villarreal) – Not in match squad

Paulo Da Silva (Real Zaragoza) – subbed on after 83 mins in 2-1 win

Germany

Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dortmund) – Subbed on after 80 mins in 4-4 draw

Turkey

Cristian Riveros (Kayserispor) – played full 90 mins in 2-2 draw

Holland

Celso Ortiz (AZ) – Not in match squad

Roberto ‘Gatito’ Fernandez (Utrecht) – Unused sub

Cyprus

Aldo Adorno (APOEL) – subbed on after 74 mins in 2-1 derby win against Omonia Nicosia

Russia

Nelson Haedo Valdez (Rubin Kazan) – subbed off after 84 mins in 1-0 victory over Anzhi

Slovakia

Jorge Salinas (Trencin) – subbed of after 58 mins in 2-1 win

Switzerland

Dario Lezcano (Luzern) – no game this weekend

LATIN AMERICA

Argentina

Jorge Achucarro (Banfield) – subbed off after 55 mins in 5-2 win

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 87 mins in 2-0 victory

Nestor Bareiro (Olimpo) – subbed off after 75 mins in 5-2 loss

Marcos Cáceres (Racing) – Unused sub

Federico Santander (Racing) – subbed off after 72 mins in 2-0 defeat

Nestor Ortigoza (San Lorenzo) – subbed off after 65 mins in 2-0 loss

Mexico

Fredy Bareiro (Estudiantes Tecos) – played full 90 mins in 1-0 win

Aureliano Torres (Toluca) – subbed off at halftime in 3-1 loss

Dario Verón (PUMAS) – injured

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

Bolivia

Aquilino Villalba (Aurora) – Not in match squad

Hugo Sebastian Gimenez (Guabira) – subbed on at halftime in 2-1 loss

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

Gustavo David Arce (Real Mamore) – played full 90 mins in 1-1 draw

Luis Gustavo Lugo (Real Mamore) – Not in match squad

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

Claudio Centurión (Real Potosí) – Not in match squad

Ernesto Ruben Cristaldo (The Strongest) – Unused sub

Pablo Daniel Escobar (The Strongest) – played full 90 mins in 1-1 draw

Delio Ramon Ojeda (The Strongest) – subbed off after 73 mins in 1-1 draw

Chile

José David Portillo (Antofagasta)  - played full 90 mins in 0-0 draw

Fabian Benitez (Audax Italiano) – Not in match squad

Miguel Angel Cuellar (Cobresal) – SCORED penalty in 5-2 defeat

Hugo Lusardi (Cobreloa) – played full 90 mins in 1-0 loss

Pedro Vera (Cobreloa) - subbed on after 75 mins in 1-0 loss

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 1-0 win

Rodrigo Riquelme (Palestino) – played full 90 mins in 0-0 draw

Roberto ‘Bufalo’ Ovelar (Uni. Catolica) – Not in match squad

Cristian Britez (Uni. Concepción) – Suspended

Arnaldo Gimenez (Unión La Calera) – Unused sub

Colombia

Digno Gonzalez (Atletico Huila) – Not in match squad

Robin Ramirez (Dep. Tolima) – SCORED winner in 3-2 victory

Antony Silva (Dep. Tolima) – played full 90 mins in 3-2 victory

Edison Gimenez (La Equidad) – Not in match squad

German Centurion (Santa Fe) – subbed on after 88 mins in 2-1 win

Jorge Nuñez (Once Caldas) – Not in match squad

Marcos Lazaga (Patriotas) – played full 90 mins in 3-0 defeat

Ecuador 

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

Fernando Gimenez (Emelec) – played full 90 mins in 2-0 win

Librado Azcona (Independiente) – CLEANSHEET in 1-0 win

Edgar Balbuena (Independiente) - played full 90 mins in 1-0 win

Richard Estigarribia (Independiente) – Not in match squad

Enrique Vera (Liga de Quito) – subbed off after 34 mins in 3-2 win

Arnaldo Vera (LDU Loja) – played full 90 mins in 2-0 loss

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

Nestor Ayala (Técnico Universitario) – played full 90 mins in 1-0 loss

Perú

Mario Villasanti (Inti Gas) – played full 90 mins in 1-0 loss

Oscar Díaz (Inti Gas) – played full 90 mins in 1-0 loss

Ramon ‘Tacuarita’ Cardozo (León de Huánuco) – SCORED in 3-2 win

Fabio Ramos (Real Atlético Garcilaso) – subbed off after 84 mins in 3-0 victory

Daniel Ferreira (Real Atlético Garcilaso) – subbed on after 86 mins in 3-0 victory

Blas Lopez (Sport Huancayo) – played full 90 mins in 2-1 loss

Hector Sosa (Unión Comercio) – played full 90 mins in 1-0 win

Uruguay

Edison Torres (Liverpool) – subbed off after 70 mins in 4-2 defeat

Venezuela

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

Victor Ferreira (Caracas FC) – no game at weekend, play tomorrow

Fidel Perez (Caracas FC) - no game at weekend, play tomorrow

By Ralph Hannah

Copa Libertadores 2012: Olimpia win thriller to leave Flamengo floundering

Olimpia vs Flamengo
Estadio Defensores del Chaco
(1-0) 3-2 - Sergio Orteman6′, Pablo Zeballos 52′, Eduardo Aranda 71′; Vagner Love 49′, Dario Botinelli 78′

Olimpia maintained their 100% record at home to go joint top of the group and leave Flamengo out of the qualification zone following a thrilling win in Asunción. Gerardo Pelusso watched from the stands as his side executed the game plan well to neutralise Ronaldinho and create plenty of chances of their own. Undoubtedly the man of the match was captain Sergio Orteman who rolled back the years with a commanding performance in central midfield to drive Olimpia forward.

Two of Olimpia's goalscorers, Zeballos and Orteman - Photo: D10.com.py

Orteman set the tone after four minutes, he stole the ball from Ronaldinho before motoring past the former Barcelona star to huge cheers from the sell out crowd of over 30,000 packed into Paraguay’s national stadium. Minutes later the Uruguayan was on the scoresheet, Pablo Zeballos – restored to the starting line up in recent games – floated over a free kick from near the right corner flag towards the front post which was met by Orteman on the volley having stolen a march on his marker. El Decano continued to control the game after the goal, they pressed intelligently, allowing Flamengo the ball in defence but giving them no space in midfield. Ronaldinho was, of course, a target for some rough treatment and having been clattered by Eduardo Aranda early on, then bullied by Orteman in the middle he drifted harmlessly out to the left where he was competently contained by an in-form Francisco Nájera. At halftime the Brazilians looked dejected.

Fabio Caballero tracks Flamengo's best player Vagner Love - Photo: D10.com.py

It didn’t take long after the break for the Rio de Janeiro club to get a smile back on their faces and a dancing spring in their step however, Vagner Love with a crushing finish from Ronaldinho’s expert pass. It had been a tiny error from Olimpia to lose the ball in their own half but they paid the ultimate price, Ronaldinho proving just how effective he is when he receives the ball in space in the middle of the pitch. But the lead was restored just three minutes later, Pablo Zeballos is on such good form at the moment and he found his fourth goal in as many games with an emphatic left foot finish into the roof of the net after his clever turn and shot was well saved by Felipe only to fall back at the Paraguayan striker’s feet.

Back in front and the midfield, particularly Aranda and a ferocious Orteman, were anticipating passes and winning the ball back regularly to frustrate Flamengo’s forays into the final third. The best chance of an equaliser was on 66 minutes when Vagner Love tested Martin Silva from close range but hopes of a point were extinguished five minutes later. Aranda is a dogged player on the right but not a great offensive weapon so it was with great surprise that he lined up his opponent 25 yards out ‘samba-stepped’ him a la Ronaldinho before firing low into the corner. The best goal of the night until Dario Botinelli put a cat among the pigeons with 12 minutes remaining with a wonderful swirling, curling, looping shot from all of 30 yards to leave Silva rooted to the spot.

Orteman was too strong for Ronaldinho - Photo: D10.com.py

Flamengo sniffed an equaliser but the sweet smell of victory was engulfing 30,000 nostrils and crucially those of Orteman who urged his players to see out the game, at one point he was holding off three red and black shirts in the corner flag killing time. There was no scare, no late heroics from Flamengo and once again the players of one of Brazil’s largest clubs trudged off the pitch at full time without a victory against the Paraguayan champions who march on determinedly in the direction of the knockout stages.

Olimpia XI: M.Silva; F.Najera, A.Romero, E.Meza, S.Ariosa; E.Aranda, S.Orteman, F.Caballero, V.Marín; P.Zeballos, L.Caballero

Subs: Maxi Biancucchi for Pablo Zeballos, Carlos Humberto Paredes for Fabio Caballero, Osvaldo Hobecker for Vladimir Marín

By Ralph Hannah

NB: For more photos of the victory check the wonderful gallery at D10.com.py

Copa Libertadores Preview: Olimpia vs Flamengo

Olimpia vs Flamengo
Estadio Defensores del Chaco
28/03/2012, 22.00

Ronaldinho has come to town with his Flamengo team looking for revenge against Olimpia who ‘did a Liverpool’ two week’s ago in Rio de Janeiro. Whenever Olimpia or Cerro Porteño play a big Copa Libertadores game the whole country shifts its attentions from the major topics (currently the invasion of bats and cold weather) and focuses on football. At the garage, in the bank, even in the police station all the talk today has been about tonight’s match and whether this current Olimpia side really is as good as those vintage crops of 1979, 1990 and 2002. A win would be the best way to prove it.

Ronaldinho arrives in Asunción - Photo: Paraguay.com

Gerardo Pelusso makes just one change from the Rio de Janeiro starting XI, Pablo Zeballos is in hot scoring form (three in three) so he replaces Maxi Biancucchi in a 4-4-2. Olimpia’s defence struggled against the dribbiling ability of Wagner Love last time round but Gerardo Pelusso indicated he won’t try and kind of man marking on him or the other offensive bright lights. As anybody who has watched El Decano this season will know their best quality is their spirit, this group of players refuse to be beaten whatever the circumstances and have showed it time and again in 2012. In fact they’ve only tasted defeat once (against Emelec) in the last 19 competitive matches.

Vladimir Marín scored the equaliser last time - Photo: D10.com.py

Flamengo will be an intriguing prospect, Joel Santana is naturally an attack-minded coach but he might be more cautious having felt the full force of Olimpia’s firepower in those crazy fifteen minutes two weeks ago. The group is very tight too, a home win would see Flamengo relegated into third place with another away game to come next week against Emelec. The key will be to get the ball to Ronaldinho or Wagner Love as much as possible if they are to do some damage, there is no doubt the quality of that pair is too much for the Paraguayan champions to contain, therefore Olimpia will be most concerned about cutting the supply to these world class stars. Their efficacy in that task will decide the result

Olimpia XI (confirmed): M.Silva; F.Najera, A.Romero, E.Meza, S.Ariosa; E.Aranda, S.Orteman, F.Caballero, V.Marín; P.Zeballos, L.Caballero

Prediction: You must be joking after last time!

SELECTED ODDS: Olimpia win 2.6, Draw 3.35, Flamengo win 3.05; 1-0 scoreline 9.0, 3-3 scoreline 80.0, Over 2.5 goals 2.1

BEST BET: Don’t write off Olimpia, a small bet on them outright is what I’ll be doing

===================================================

STATS & TRIVIA

Olimpia last 6 vs Flamengo

Great caricature from Ultima Hora

Pld 6 W 2 D 2 L 2 GF 9 GA 8 – this includes three Copa Mercosur games (the forerunner to Copa Sudamericana)

Olimpia last 6 vs Brazilian sides in Copa LibertadoresPld 6 W 1 D 3 L 2 GF 13 GA 8 – includes 2002 final 2nd leg against São Caetano

Olimpia go into the game having only lost once in the last 19 outings in all competitions.

==================================================

By Ralph Hannah

Author’s Note: All odds up to date at the time of writing, vía Betfair

Paraguay Abroad: Haedo Valdez, Roque Santa Cruz and Osvaldo Martinez in the goals

A good weekend for the major names as Roque Santa Cruz, Nelson Haedo Valdez and Osvaldo Martinez all found themselves on the scoresheet. So too did Lorenzo Melgarejo a really crucial header against Porto while over in Bolivia Pablo Escobar got a last minute equaliser for his side, The Strongest. Finally Robin Ramirez continues his excellent form with a goal against tabletopping rivals Atletico Huila.

England

Antolín Alcaraz (Wigan Atheltic) – played full 90 mins in 2-1 win

Portugal

Oscar Cardozo (Benfica) – played full 90 mins both in 0-0 league draw, and Champions League defeat to Chelsea

Lorenzo Melgarejo (Paços de Ferreira) – SCORED equaliser against Porto (1-1 draw) which greatly aids his parent club Benfica in title race

Javier Cohene (Paços de Ferreira) – subbed on in 91st minute in 1-1 draw

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

Juan Manuel Iturbe (Porto) – Unused Sub

Italy

Edgar Barreto (Palermo) – subbed off after 88 mins in 1-1 draw, assisted Palermo’s goal

Marcelo Estigarribia (Juventus) – Not in match squad

Spain

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

Hernan Perez (Villarreal) – Not in match squad

Paulo Da Silva (Real Zaragoza) – Unused sub

Germany

Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dortmund) – Unused Sub

Turkey

Cristian Riveros (Kayserispor) – played full 90 mins in 1-0 loss

Holland

Celso Ortiz (AZ) – Unused Sub

Roberto ‘Gatito’ Fernandez (Utrecht) – played full 90 mins in 3-1 defeat

Cyprus

Aldo Adorno (APOEL) – Not in match squad for league game, and an unused sub in Champions League encounter with Real Madrid

Russia

Nelson Haedo Valdez (Rubin Kazan) – SCORED equaliser (1-1) coming on as a substitute against Zenit

Slovakia

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

Switzerland

Dario Lezcano (Luzern) – played full 90 mins in 1-0 win

LATIN AMERICA

Argentina

Jorge Achucarro (Banfield) – Unused sub

Orlando Gaona Lugo (Boca Juniors) – Unused sub

Eduardo Ledesma (Lanús) – subbed on after 87 mins in 2-2 draw

Victor Aquino (Newell’s) – Unused sub

Nestor Bareiro (Olimpo) – subbed off after 68 mins in 1-1 draw

Marcos Cáceres (Racing) – Unused sub

Federico Santander (Racing) – subbed on after half time in 3-0 defeat

Nestor Ortigoza (San Lorenzo) – played full 90 mins in 2-1 loss

Mexico

Fredy Bareiro (Estudiantes Tecos) – played full 90 mins in 4-0 loss

Aureliano Torres (Toluca) – played full 90 mins in 2-0 defeat

Dario Verón (PUMAS) – injured

Osvaldo Martinez (Atlante) – SCORED twice in 3-2 win

Bolivia

Aquilino Villalba (Aurora) – subbed on after 61 mins in 2-1 win

Hugo Sebastian Gimenez (Guabira) – Unused sub

Francisco Antonio Argüello (Oriente Petroleo) – played full 90 mins in 2-0 win

Gustavo David Arce (Real Mamore) – played full 90 mins in 2-1 loss

Luis Gustavo Lugo (Real Mamore) – Unused sub

Henry William Lapczyk (Real Potosí) – played full 90 mins in 1-0 defeat

Claudio Centurión (Real Potosí) - played full 90 mins in 1-0 defeat

Ernesto Ruben Cristaldo (The Strongest) – Subbed off after 51 mins in 2-2 draw

Pablo Daniel Escobar (The Strongest) – SCORED last minute equaliser in 2-2 draw

Delio Ramon Ojeda (The Strongest) – played full 90 mins in 2-2 draw

Chile

José David Portillo (Antofagasta)  - played full 90 mins in 1-0 win

Fabian Benitez (Audax Italiano) – Not in match squad

Miguel Angel Cuellar (Cobresal) – Suspended

Hugo Lusardi (Cobreloa) – subbed on after 62 mins in 1-0 loss

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

Derlis Barrios (Cobreloa) – not in match squad

Osmar Molinas (Colo Colo) – Unused sub

Cristian Bogado (Dep. Iquique) - played full 90 mins in 2-1 defeat

Cristian Limenza (Dep. Iquique) – Unused sub

Milton Benitez (Huachipato) – Not in match squad

Rodrigo Rojas (O’Higgins) – Unused sub

Rodrigo Riquelme (Palestino) – played full 90 mins in 1-0 win

Roberto ‘Bufalo’ Ovelar (Uni. Catolica) – rested for Copa Libertadores

Cristian Britez (Uni. Concepción) – SENT OFF in 5-2 loss

Arnaldo Gimenez (Unión La Calera) – Unused sub

Colombia

Digno Gonzalez (Atletico Huila) – Unused sub

Robin Ramirez (Dep. Tolima) – SCORED opener 1-1 draw with title rivals Huila

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

Edison Gimenez (La Equidad) – Not in match squad

German Centurion (Santa Fe) – Not in match squad

Jorge Nuñez (Once Caldas) – played full 90 mins in 3-1 win

Marcos Lazaga (Patriotas) – subbed off at halftime in 1-0 victory

Ecuador 

Miguel Paniagua (Dtvo. Cuenca) - played full 90 mins in 3-0 loss

Fernando Gimenez (Emelec) – played full 90 mins in 3-0 win

Librado Azcona (Independiente) – played full 90 mins in 2-0 draw

Edgar Balbuena (Independiente) - suspended

Richard Estigarribia (Independiente) – subbed on after 58 mins in 0-0 draw

Enrique Vera (Liga de Quito) -played full 90 mins in 1-0 loss

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

Mingo Martinez (Macará) –subbed off after 92 mins in 2-0 win

Nestor Ayala (Técnico Universitario) – played full 90 mins in 2-0 defeat

Perú

Mario Villasanti (Inti Gas) – played full 90 mins in 2-0 loss

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

Fabio Ramos (Real Atlético Garcilaso) – played full 90 mins in 3-0 defeat

Daniel Ferreira (Real Atlético Garcilaso) – Subbed on after 81 mins in 3-0 defeat

Blas Lopez (Sport Huancayo) – played full 90 mins in 1-0 win

Hector Sosa (Unión Comercio) – played full 90 mins in 3-2 loss

Venezuela

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

Victor Ferreira (Caracas FC) – played full 90 mins in 2-0 defeat

Fidel Perez (Caracas FC) – not in match squad

By Ralph Hannah