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

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

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

Paraguay Talent: Five Teenagers en route to Europe

With the 2012 Apertura now underway we look at five teenagers lighting up the league as they stake their claim for a lucrative transfer to Europe. Throughout the season we will focus on the best young Paraguayan talent and those most likely to be in the Champions League in no time!

Maurito Caballero  

Courtesy of @mauro11jrs

D.o.B: 8 October 1994

Height: 1,75 metres

Weight: 75 kilos

Position: Striker

Foot: Left

Club: Libertad

Plays like: Robbie Fowler

His father is the all-time top goalscorer for Olimpia so there was always going to be a lot of hype about this kid. He has already lived up to it, scoring two on his debut last season and now finding the net in two Copa Libertadores games. The kid has pace and although not particularly strong he is adept at using his body weight and balance against bigger opponents.

Bladimiro Ojeda

Bladimiro Ojeda with the U20s

  D.o.B: 3 February 1994

  Height: 1,76 metres

  Weight: 73 kilos

  Position: Winger/Forward

  Foot: Right

  Club: Rubio Ñu

  Plays like: Carlos Tevez

This right footer likes to play on the left hand side and cut in to shoot from distance one of his strengths along with his dribbling ability and set piece taking. From humble beginnings in the deep Paraguayan countryside Ojeda has taken centre stage recently having played for the Paraguay U17s in last year’s Sudamericano and becoming a regular feature in the U20s set up since Chiqui Arce took charge. Last weekend he made his first senior start for Rubio Ñu and expect him to stake a claim this Apertura.

Gustavo Gomez

Gustavo Gomez Photo: golazotropical.com.py

  D.o.B: 6 May 1993

  Height: 1.85

  Weight: 85 kilos

  Position: Central defender

  Foot: Right

  Club: Libertad

  Plays like: John Terry

The big centreback has got his break this season with Libertad rotating players as they fight on both fronts (Apertura and Copa Libertadores). He is strong and dominant in the air with a never-say-die attitude, his battling qualities have been important in a part of a Libertad defence that won their first two league games 1-0. His physique means he would not struggle in Europe even at his tender age.

Jorge Rojas

Jorge Rojas Photo: abc.com.py

 D.o.B: 7 January 1993

 Height: 1,74 metres

 Weight:  kilos

 Position: Winger

 Foot: Right

 Club: Cerro Porteño

 Plays like: Luis Antonio Valencia

An old-fashioned winger, has pace with the ball, enjoys taking players on and is an excellent crosser of the ball. Rojitas has already formed an excellent partnership with Cerro’s full back Matias Corujo and was the stand out player in the weekend’s win over Cerro PF. His form will be vital to Cerro’s championship chances in their centenary.  He was part of the U20s squad but an injury to Rodolfo Gamarra saw him called up to the senior squad for Wedneday’s friendly with Guatemala .

Fabio Caballero

Fabio Caballero Photo: La Nacion

 D.o.B: 1 October 1992

 Height: -

 Weight:  -

 Position: Central midfielder

 Foot: Right

 Club: Olimpia

 Plays like: Scott Parker

This adolescent midfielder can win the ball and then keep things simple and tidy, everything you want from a central midfielder. He is essentially being played as a holding midfielder but his young legs are needed to help cover Sergio Orteman so he covers plenty of ground too. His youthful exuberance means he has a tendency to accumulate yellow cards but a full season under Gerardo Pelusso will quickly cure him of that bad habit so he can make his way across the Atlantic.

By Ralph Hannah

Champions League special: Exclusive interview with Aldo Adorno of APOEL

Ahead APOEL vs Lyon’s Champions League 2nd leg tie, we have re-posted this interview wtih Aldo Adorno for those who didn’t catch it the first tie round!

February 14th is a special day for many people, but for the players of APOEL FC, this year it has added significance. Thrylos (The Legend) have made history by becoming the first Cypriot club to qualify for the knockout phase of the Champions League. They did it in style, too, topping Group G with home wins over Zenit and Porto and avoiding defeat in their three away games. This Valentine’s day, APOEL go to France to face Lyon, their qualification for the knockout phase means that other than Oscar “Tacuara” Cardozo of Benfica there is another Paraguay Abroad in the last 16 of Europe’s premiere club competition, APOEL midfielder Aldo Adorno. He speaks exclusively to Paraguay Football about his life in Cyprus and hopes for the Champions League.

Aldo enjoys success in Cyprus, Photo: Aldo Adorno

 Name: Aldo Adorno

 D.o.B: 8 April 1982

Place of Birth: Borja, Guaira, Paraguay

Position: Attacking Midfielder

Current Club: APOEL

Foreign Clubs: Irapuato, Cruz Azul Oaxaca (Mexico), Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel),   Almería, Baza (Spain), Paralimni, AEK Lanarca, Apollon (Cyprus)

Paraguayan Clubs: Sportivo Luqueño, Deportivo Recoleta, Sol de América

Height: 175 m

Weight: 82 kg

Aldo’s story is a fascinating one. This is his deubt season in the Champions League, and as you would expect from a team considered to be the underdogs in the tournament, he says they are just “taking it one game at a time”. The toughest rival so far has been Shakhtar Donetsk according to Aldo, “they have a lot of quality players” although he picked out Dani of Zenit as the best player he faced this season “he is really fast with the ball at his feet”.

Aldo always dreamed of reaching the heights of a competition like the Champions League, but for a long time it seemed a distant dream. The 29-year-old attacking midfielder had plied his trade in four countries before landing in Cyprus. It has not all been plain sailing. “The truth is I’ve had some tough times” concedes Aldo “I left Paraguay very young for Mexico” in fact he was just 18 years old and the transition to Mexico was tough for him, so he returned to Paraguay to play for Sol de America for a year, before getting the chance to play for Maccabi Tel Aviv. All in all 10 of the last 11 years have seen him play abroad and Aldo admits that this time of his career was “quite unstable”, but he was determined “I kept working hard…and now I’m seeing some of the fruit of so many years of sacrifice”

Aldo in Action, Photo: Aldo Adorno facebook

It was one of the coaches from his spell at Maccabi Tel Aviv that convinced him to make the move to Cyprus. Feeling more settled, his football improved, too, as he started playing and scoring regularly for Paralimni, AEK Larnaca and Apollon before getting his move to APOEL in 2011 and helping them into the history books.

So after 11 clubs in 5 different countries in 13 years, Aldo is finally settled. Why Cyprus though? He says “Cyprus and Paraguay are quite similar…At weekends we get together with friends and family to have Souvlaki, the Cypriot version of Asado”. He loves the Mediterranean diet of fish, vegetables and pasta, and although he does sometimes miss typical Paraguayan food, Aldo notes “I’m lucky, my wife is a great cook”. Speaking the lingo helps, too, “I speak the language, besides they speak a lot of English here and I’m comfortable with both languages”. Aldo explains that, like the Paraguayans, “the Cypriots are crazy about football and often approach me to ask for an autograph”. One big difference to Paraguay that Aldo does enjoy is “going to the beach which is nearby”, all in all he feels “very happy” on the island.

Souvlaki, Cypriot for Asado

So what’s next for Aldo and family? He says that although he’s very happy in Cyprus for now, he “ would love to come back and play in Paraguay before retirement”. That’s probably still a few years down the line, but we think it would be great if another ‘Paraguay Abroad’ player can come home and receive the recognition from the Paraguayan public he deserves. Aldo, we salute you!

Tohoporâite ndéve, rejapo porâ!

By Sergio Lahaye