Argentina vs Paraguay Estadio Mario Kempes, Córdoba, Argentina 06/09/2012; 19:10 hrs (00:10 hrs BST)
Paraguay’s sixth qualifier of the current campaign is upon us, with no Brazil this is arguably the hardest fixture of the lot – Argentina away. To date Paraguay have a 0% record on the road losing 2-0 to both Peru and Chile before that disastorous defeat in La Paz (3-1 to Bolivia) that cost Chiqui Arce his job. With this being Gerardo Pelusso’s first competitive game and only his second overall following the 3-3 friendly, we can only guess at how he will line up his side. We weren’t even given any hints yesterday as Paraguay’s training session was washed out by the heavy rain in Córdoba.
Paraguay train yesterday as rain kept them indoors – Photo: Prensa Selección Paraguaya de Fútbol
The Uruguayan is slightly more defensive by nature, he did play 4-3-3 at times with Olimpia but it was a solid three in midfield and he liked to play with ‘defensive’ strikers, players who can track back and close down. One such player was Luis Caballero who has been included in this squad along with Edgar Benítez and Nelson Haedo Valdez who also have the capability to run and press. The key player in attack however is Jonathan Fabbro, until last month an Argentine national but took up Paraguay nationality having lived here for five years. Fabbro’s touch and vision resembles a classic ‘enganche’ (think Riquelme) but his strength is more akin to Didier Drogba and when his head is in the game he is almost unplayable. Argentina’s makeshift defence could be given a rough time if Paraguay can get the ball to Fabbro in space. The other player who will be looking to test the albiceleste backline is Marcelo Estigarribia who will want revenge against Hugo Campagnaro, the pair last meeting in the Coppa Italia final which Napoli won against the Paraguayan’s former club Juventus.
Estigarribia will hope to get the last laugh against Campagnaro – Photo: Prensa Selección Paraguaya de Fútbol
Of course, the albirroja’s main concerns will be at the other end of the pitch, no Aguero isn’t much of a bonus considering that Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Maxi Biancucchi’s cousin are all set to start. It is unsure how they will plan to stop Messi who is likely to play centrally and receive the ball deep to allow him to run at the defence and interchange passes with Higuain (who has profited from this partnership with four goals in three home qualifiers). Víctor Cáceres might keep close attention to the Barcelona star or there are murmurs that Cerro Porteño’s Fidencio Oviedo will be given a starting role and asked to manmark. Messi is not the only threat of course and Paraguay must get their midfield to help cover a fairly slow defence because any one-on-one situations greatly favour the Argentines.
Haedo will be doing a lot of this – Photo: Prensa Selección Paraguaya de Fútbol
Prediction: On form Argentina should win comfortably, 3-1, but historically (check out this earlier post) this game is contested more in the mind and the heart than with the feet and 1-1 has been the most common score. Depends what you believe in more, form or history.
Paraguay XI (Possible): Justo Villar; Ivan Piris, Paulo Da Silva, Antolin Alcaraz, Richard Ortiz; Víctor Ayala, Víctor Cáceres, Cristian Riveros, Marcelo Estigarribia; Jonathan Fabbro; Nelson Haedo
Argentina XI (Possible): Sergio Romero; Hugo Campagnaro, Federico Fernandez, Ezequiel Garay, Marco Rojo; Fernando Gago, Rodrigo Braña; Angel Di Maria, Lionel Messi, Ezequiel Lavezzi; Gonzalo Higuain
SELECTED ODDS: Argentina win 1.3, Draw 5.7, Paraguay win 12.0; Under 2.5 Goals 2.32; Fabbro to score at anytime 10.5
BEST BET: Not much value on the home win, looking at both sides defences the BTTS is a good bet at evens, also there has been a red card in the last four qualifiers between these two, a punt on that is about 2.72 currently
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STATS AND TRIVIA
Argentina haven’t beaten Paraguay at home in a world cup qualifier since the introduction of colour TVs (last win was 1973), for more history check out this post
Paraguay vs Argentina Head-to-Head (World Cup Qualifiers)
Paraguay will face Argentina for the 15th time World Cup Qualifying in what is set to be an historic encounter, the first ever meeting outside of the respective capital cities. There is good reason for the venue switch, the last five qualifiers in Buenos Aires have ended in a draw meaning the last albiceleste win on home soil was 1973.
The albirroja treat this game as their superclásico, while the rivalry with Brazil is also big for historical reasons the Paraguayans have many more links with their opponents south of the border. Not just the shared language, there are shared blood-ties with an estimated 500,000 Paraguayans living and working in Argentina and several Argentine-born players have represented the Guaraní in recent years.
Paraguay prepare for battle – Photo: D10.com.py
The natural neighbourly rivalry has been increased recently by several spats – Cristina Kirchener led the move to suspend Paraguay from the free trade bloc Mercosur. Then there was the curious case of Moria Casán, an Argentinian celebrity who is accused of stealing jewelry after a show in Paraguay and has been criticised locally for subsequent comments. Also an inflammatory ‘opinion piece’ last month about the nationalization of Argentinian-born players on a website I’ve written for previously (to my huge embarrassment) provoked an angry reaction in Paraguay.
Anyway, now we’ve established this is a clásico (at least from one team’s perspective) we return to the footballing history. The first qualifier between the sides was in Buenos Aires in 1965 with Argentina winning comfortably before a goalless draw in Asunción. It was a repeat for the 1974 Qualifiers when the nations tied in Asunción with Argentina winning in Buenos Aires to qualify at Paraguay’s expense.
That was the last time Argentina would win at home.
1994 World Cup Qualifiers
The teams were thrown together again for the USA ’94 qualifiers with Paraguay losing at home for the first time to the albiceleste, the game is also remembered as the only international goal for ex-Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Redondo which you can see below.
The return game later that month finished 0-0 in the Estadio Monumental, once again Argentina went to the World Cup while Paraguay watched on the TV.
While that game ended in a 1-1 draw, Paraguay were beaten at home 2-1 but it is also worth noting that the guaraní goalscorer that day was Buenos Aires-born Roberto Acuña, in case you were thinking nationalization is a relatively new phenomenon.
2002 World Cup Qualifiers
The Argentines were almost unstoppable under Marcelo Bielsa, finishing top of the qualification standings with 43 points and losing just once to Brazil away. I say almost unstoppable because during that period there was only one team they were unable to beat neither home nor away, that was of course plucky Paraguay.
A 1-1 draw in Buenos Aires was followed by a 2-2 draw in Asunción. Once again Roberto Acuña scored against the country of his birth in his native city while the game in the Defensores del Chaco also saw Chilavert score (this time from the penalty spot). Paraguay led three times over the two games but that elusive victory still escaped them…
2006 World Cup Qualifiers
03/09/2005 – HISTORY IS MADE – Paraguay win their first qualifier against the old enemy, a 14th minute strike from Roque Santa Cruz was enough to separate the sides. The goal came after the albirroja blew away their opponents in the opening stages and in the second half they were able to hold onto their lead following Gabriel Heinze’s red card.
The earlier meeting in Buenos Aires was nothing to write home about – Paraguay (reduced to ten men on the hour) showed plenty of grit to hold out for a goalless draw against a home strikeforce of Carlos Tevez, Javier Saviola and Hernan Crespo.
2010 World Cup Qualifiers
The customary Buenos Aires stalemate took place in 2008 with that man Heinze helping Paraguay again (his comic own goal put them ahead) before Carlos Tevez received his marching orders after half an hour. Sergio Aguero equalised on the hour after combining well with Lionel Messi.
The sweetest of victories was then recorded in front of a raucous crowd in September 2009 when a bit of Salvador Cabañas magic set up Nelson Haedo Valdez who walloped the ball in with his left foot. The win secured Paraguay’s qualification for their fourth straight World Cup and even better it ensured they would finish above Argentina in the table for the first time since its introduction.
Later in the week we’ll have a full stats pack for the game followed by the standard pre-match preview on Friday.
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.
I wasn’t in Asunción over Easter so had to resort to listening to both Cerro Porteño and Olimpia on the radio (no cable in the countryside) but I did get my fill of football and of course all the weekend’s action (and there is a lot) is here. See how Cerro Porteño and Olimpia warmed up for this Sunday’s superclásico, Libertad’s limp response to a dramatic late win in the Copa Libertadores and finally, finally, Tacuary celebrated a win (as predicted here)!
Main Games
Sol de América vs Cerro Porteño Estadio Oddone Sarubbi (1-0) 2-2 – William Mendieta 38′, Enzo Prono 47′, Julio Dos Santos (pen) 60′, Jony Fabbro (pen) 72′
Somewhat surprisingly Sol de América brushed off recent form (three straight losses) and the José Ortigoza shaped hole in attack to go two goals in front in Ciudad del Este. William Mendieta opened the scoring, picking up Enzo Prono’s flick from a long ball and skirting his way round Cerro’s defence to finish with a clever chip. Just after the break Prono profited from an incredible mix up by Pedro Benitez and Alexis Gonzalez, the Sol striker pouncing on the mistake to tuck away a simple chance.
The Cerro comeback began on the hour mark, a penalty given to the away side for handball which seemed correct – the Uruguayan left back Diego Ciz had his arm away from his body as he leaned to block an overhead kick. Julio Dos Santos whipped the spot kick into the top corner, 2-1. When Angel Enciso was shown a second yellow less than ten minutes later it was clear the tide had turned in El Ciclon’s favour and sure enough on 72 minutes they had equalised, again from 12 yards. This time Edgar Segovia went for a routine clearance only to find that Jorge Rojas had reached the ball first so rather than smashing the ball 60 yards he smashed Rojas about 6 yards instead. Clear penalty. With Dos Santos no longer on the pitch, Jonathan Fabbro stepped up and smashed it hard enough that the keeper’s touch only pushed it into the roof of the net.
Dos Santos celebrates his goal - Photo: Estadio.com.py
After the game the imposing figure of Sol coach Ricardo Dabrowski took on some serious menace when he growled to journalists after the game about the refereeing and in particular an elbow on his player William Mendieta. ” When these things happen, Sol doesn’t lose, Paraguayan football loses.” indicating that the reason that the big Paraguayan clubs suffer in international football and “ship 6 goals” [Olimpia lost 6-0 to Lanús last week] is because they don’t get the same favourable treatment from referees abroad as they do at home. The big man might have a point there.
Sol de América: Roberto Acosta; Roberto Bonet, Ricardo Martínez, Édgar Segovia, Diego Ciz; Reinaldo Ocampo, Ángel Enciso, Alfredo Rojas, David Mendieta; William Mendieta, Enzo Prono
Subs: E.Orzusa for R.Ocampo, C.Dominguez for E.Prono, S.Escalante for W.Mendieta
Sent Off: A.Enciso (two bookable offences)
Cerro Porteño: Diego Barreto; Matías Corujo, Mariano Uglessich, Pedro Benítez, Luis Cardozo; Jorge Rojas, Alexis González, Julio Dos Santos, Édgar Benítez; Jonathan Fabbro, Santiago Salcedo
Subs: W.López for J.Dos Santos, G.Beltrán for E.Benitez, L.Caceres for J.Fabbro
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Olimpia vs Sportivo Luqueño Estadio Manuel Ferreira a.k.a Para Uno (0-1) 2-1 – Arnaldo Castorino 73′, Gabriel Montiel 82′; Carlos Martinez 14′
Olimpia took the first steps to erasing the Buenos Aires humiliation with a typically gritty win over Luque in Para Uno. The relegation strugglers were a goal up against their illustrious rivals when youngster Carlos Martinez scored. He was given time and space on the right hand side to drive home from outside the box. Luque would have been two up at halftime were it not for Salustiano Candía’s goal line heroics, Luque striker Guido Di Vanni had lifted the ball over Martin Silva and it was heading into the empty net only for Candia to race back and stretch out a leg to keep the score at 1-0.
El Decano pushed and pushed for an equaliser, it finally came 17 minutes before the end from an Arnaldo Castorino header who reacted to Sergio Orteman’s flick on following a corner. As ever the black and white machine driven forward by captain Orteman didn’t stop there. The Uruguayan shrugged off his marker on the right to send a looping cross over to the other side of the box where the debutant left-back Gabriel Montiel (the Paraguayan press insist on calling him Eugenio but he uses Gabriel on his facebook so I’m sticking with that!) had made a lung-busting run into the box and side footed in on the half volley to win the game and extend their lead at the top of the Apertura Table to four points.
Arnaldo Castorino gets the equaliser - Photo: D10.com.py
It was a wonderful moment for Montiel, from Mariano Roque Alonso on the outskirts of Asunción, who had everything to owe to his parents who supported him with the little money they had. His mother, like many Paraguayans in tough economic situations, moved to Spain to work as a maid and send money home so her son could continue his dream of playing football. Now 20 years old that dream is starting to come true.
Olimpia: Martín Silva; Francisco Nájera, Adrián Romero, Salustiano Candia, Gabriel Montiel; Eduardo Aranda, Fabio Caballero, Sergio Orteman, Alberto Contrera; Pablo Zeballos, Luis Caballero
Subs: A.Castorino for A.Contrera; S.Almirón for L.Caballero, O.Hobecker for F.Nájera
Sent Off: O.Hobecker (straight red – elbow)
Luque: Tobías Vargas; Juan Gamarra, Ronald Huth, Pablo Aguilar, Sergio Vergara; Claudio Vargas, Édgar Robles, Juan Raponi, Carlos Martínez; Guido Di Vanni, Pablo Giménez
Subs: C.Caceres Cañete for P.Gimenez, J.Britez for J.P.Raponi, R.Gamarra for C.Martinez
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OFF THE BALL
Libertad punch up: Libertad’s last gasp Copa Libertadores win meant nothing at the end of a 1-1 draw with lowly Independiente in the league. In the previous home game there had been verbal exchanges after the same result against Carapeguá but this time things got physical. Pulciano Aquino, the assistant to Jorge Burruchaga, sought out ex-board member Gustavo Invernizzi who had been verbally abusing the coach’s wife as an angry mob gathered around the press conference area to vent their anger at results. A full on fight was only avoided by the private security present (if you thought that should read police, dream on) who waded in to pull the potential pugilists apart.
León out the door: Felix de León has left Luque to become the third manager to lose his job so far this season having garnered just 12 points from a possible 30 which keeps the auriazul in relegation trouble. His replacement is Carlos Kiese which has been received with a mixed reaction, in his previous tenure as Luque manager he won just one game!
Tacuary win twice! Not only did Tacuary win their first game of the year in the Primera but their namesake in the regional league of Caraguatay got the better of my local team 6 de Julio on Maundy Thursday. They are the ones in green and white!
Tacuary won 2-1 in the Easter rain
Player of the Week: Must be the aforementioned Montiel!
Donkey of the Week: Sorry Federico Carballo of Guaraní – your own goal was one for the ee-aw collection!
Goal of the Week: Derlis Gonzalez showed everybody why he is on Benfica’s books, gliding past two challenges to fire home clinically from the edge of the box. It is the first goal in the link below!
Results: Guaraní 2-1 Carapeguá, Tacuary 1-0 Cerro PF, Libertad 1-1 Independiente, Nacional 0-2 Rubio Ñu, Olimpia 2-1 Sportivo Luqueño, Sol de América 2-2 Cerro Porteño
Intermedia Results: Atl. Colegiales 2 – 0 Paranaense FC, General Díaz 0 – 0 Fernando de la Mora, Sp. Iteño 2 – 2 29 de Setiembre, 2 de Mayo 1 – 2 General Caballero, 3 de Febrero 0 – 1 Resistencia FC, River Plate 1 – 1 Sport Colombia, Sp. Trinidense 0 – 0 Dvo. Santaní, San Lorenzo 1 – 3 Dvo. Capiatá
While Lionel Messi scored for Barcelona in Spain, across the Atlantic his cousins Maxi and Emanuel Biancucchi netted goals in Asunción on Saturday and Sunday respectively. But while Maxi scored the only goal of the game to keep Olimpia top of the league, Emanuel scored what turned out to be nothing more than a consolation penalty as his Independiente side were mauled 5-2 by a rampant Nacional. The Ricardo Gregor stadium is where we kick off…
MAIN GAME
Independiente vs Nacional Estadio Ricardo Gregor (1-2) 2-5 – Emanuel Biancucchi (pen) 31′, Herminio Miranda (og) 83′; Denis Caniza 15′, Javier Gonzalez 45+1′ & 54′, Angel Orué 64′, Ricardo Teixeira 71′
This weekend I visited Independiente’s ground for the first time to watch Sunday’s early kick off between Alicio Solalinde’s strugglers and Javier Torrente’s title challengers. Just ten minutes before kick off a black cat ran past the stand, it was clearly an omen as Independiente played well for 45 minutes only to be beaten out of sight.
Stern refereeing at the game saw five yellow cards - Photo: Prensa Club Nacional
The game began with neither team fashioning an opening, Nacional were better in the middle where Marcos Riveros and the excellent Silvio Torales controlled posession and the tempo of the game. Independiente however were dangerous on the wings with Francisco García, on loan from Cerro Porteño, showing excellent movement and technique on the left hand side, supported ably by his full back Richard Lugo. But that left gaps to be exposed and after 15 minutes the Nacional right back Denis Caniza profited with an excellent volley from Ramón Caceres’ cross on the left. Caceres had got in behind the Inde defense thanks to Torales incisive pass despite having little space to work in. On the half hour mark Independiente got a deserved equaliser via an undeserved penalty, Emanuel Biancucchi was allegedly fouled and brushed himself off to score from twelve yards. It came at a time when the home side had been creating chances with García drifting inside and Luis Miño linking well with his strikers. Nacional had taken their foot of the gas after the goal and there was often 30-40 yards between the midfield and two strikers as they visitors were forced deeper and deeper.
Both sides threatened to take the lead before halftime, first Caniza had space on the right to put in a wonderful cross for Angel Orué but the big number nine headed wide, down the other end Miño nearly replicated his ‘golazo’ against Olimpia with a dangerous dipping shot from distance tipped over by Ignacio Don. In the end Independiente went into the break a goal down thanks to some shocking defending. A routine long ball to Orué (Nacional’s strategy throughout the half) saw the lanky striker win a freekick, Javier Gonzalez was quick thinking at tapped the ball to Ariel Bogado who returned the ball to Gonzalez in the area to finish. 2-1, halftime and Independiente bemused and demoralised.
Javier Gonzalez with his second of the game - Photo: Prensa Club Nacional
If that goal on the second stroke of halftime knocked Independiente, the third goal killed them as it opened the floodgates in 17 forgetful minutes. Nacional were gifted the ball and a searching pass should have been cut out by Lugo but he was too weak and allowed Gonzalez to nick it from him and finish with aplomb. The next goal was down the left, Caceres muscling past his man to square to Orué for a simple tap in. Four became five when substitute Carlos Ruiz Peralta carved out some space on the right before passing to Caniza, the right back found another sub, Ricardo Teixeira, with a clever cross who chested down to poke home. The consolation, Herminio Miranda’s comic own goal, didn’t raise a smile amongst Independiente’s players or directors who aired their complaints to the club president before entering the home dressing room after the game to let the footballers know more was expected of them.
As for Nacional they now go into the crunch Copa Libertadores with Corinthians full of confidence and still in title-challenging territory.
Independiente XI: B. Hermosilla; R. Martínez, M. Godoy, M. Almirón, R. Lugo; V. Dávalos, J. Báez, L. Miño, F. García, E. Biancucchi, I. Iriberri
Subs: C. Machuca for F. García,
Nacional: Ignacio Don; R. Mazacotte, H. Miranda, Denis Caniza, David Mendoza, Carlos Ruiz Peralta, Marcos Riveros, Javier Villarreal, S. Torales, A. Orué, A. Bogado
Olimpia vs Sol de América Estadio Para Uno (0-0) 1-0 – Maxi Biancucchi 63′
Olimpia fresh from their heroics against Flamengo and looking ahead to their Buenos Aires showdown on Tuesday with Lanús had to overcome a stubborn Sol side to remain top of the league.
The first half ended goalless with Olimpia in control but without somebody at the sharp end of things, with Luis Caballero and Pablo Zeballos rested it was the turn of Sergio Almirón and Maxi Bianucchi to start up front. Both missing excellent chances in the early stages, Biancucchi losing his footing after a one-two with Alberto Contrera put him through on goal while his partner headed wide from a Sebastián Ariosa cross. Sol’s main tactic was to try and get balls over the top to José Ortigoza but their best chances came from headers. On 23 minutes David Mendieta got on the end of Angel Enciso’s centre but somehow Martin Silva got down to the ball, a world class save. Four minutes before the break Edgar Segovia sent a weak header into the floor which subsequently reached Silva’s gloves after a deflected freekick had given the Danzarín defender a golden opportunity.
In the second half Olimpia survived a penalty shout, Ortigoza went down under Salustiano Candia’s hefty challenge and replays indicate a spotkick would have been a fair decision. After 60 minutes came the turning point of the match, Zeballos replaced Almirón and his impact was profound. He brought verve to Olimpia’s offense almost immediately latching onto a through ball and causing Sol’s defenders to get disorganisedwith his surging runs from deep. Three minutes after his substitution and El Decano were ahead, Zeballos played a slick one-two with Contrera before putting in Biancucchi, it was the Argentine’s hardest chance of the game but he found the net, scooping the ball over Roberto Acosta. That was Maxi’s first goal since the late winner against Nacional six games earlier.
Biancucchi celebrates his goal - Photo: D10.com.py
Sol had no way past Silva who pulled off another fantastic save from a header in the 76th minute, this time down to his left from Alfredo Rojas. Ortigoza cut a frustrated figure on the eve of his 25th birthday and late on his cross to find substitute Enzo Prono was cut out by Enrique Meza who has been in commanding form in recent weeks. Olimpia held on for the victory and it was no surprise, their last 13 triumphs have been by a single goal.
Olimpia XI: M.Silva; R.Revoredo, S.Candia, A.Romero, S. Ariosa; O. Hobecker, F.Caballero, C.Paredes, A.Contrera; M. Biancucchi, S.Almirón
Subs: E.Meza for A.Romero, P.Zeballos for S.Almirón, F.Nájera for R.Revoredo
Sol de América XI: R. Acosta; R.Bonet, E.Segovia, R.Martínez , D.Ciz; R.Ocampo, A. Rojas, Á.Enciso, D. Mendieta; W. Mendieta, J. Ortigoza
Subs: E. Orzusa for A.Encisco, E.Prono for W.Mendieta, C.Dominguez for J.Ortigoza
Cerro Porteño vs Guaraní Estadio La Olla (0-0) 1-0 – Santiago Salcedo 48′
Like Olimpia, Cerro were made to battle but got the only goal of the game as the two rivals continue to battle it out at the top of the table. Travelling back from the Independiente game, I missed the goalless first half, but the two key moments were shortly after the recommencement of the second period.
Santiago Salcedo celebrates his strike - Photo: D10.com.py
48 minutes had gone when Julio Dos Santos, in his deeper role picked out Santiago Salcedo with a wonderful pass, the 30-year-old striker had moved in between the two centrebacks, controlled the ball with his chest and scored with a terrific scissor kick. It was his fourth goal in six games and was enough to sink Guaraní who now have just one goal in their last three games despite playing well in all three. Salcedo was then involved moments later when Cerro were awarded a penalty, Jorge Rojas sliced through the Aborigen defense before being clumsily chopped down by Luis Cabral, the defender saw his second red card of the season for what was a very similar challenge that saw him sent off against Rubio Ñu. Salcedo stepped up but the spotkick lacked direction and power as it trickled into Joel Silva’s grateful arms.
Salcedo nearly made amends with a vicious shot that was well saved by Silva and in general Cerro Porteño looked motivated and showed good energy in midfield as they kept pushing to extend their lead. In theory the numerical advantage and their will to keep going forward should have suited the home side but Guaraní managed to take advantage of the space despite being down to ten men. Dante Lopez rounded Barreto but took the ball too far and was unable to get a shot on target, later Barreto made a super stop with his left hand to deny Guaraní an equaliser.
The result means Cerro continue just two points behind Olimpia with one more game until the Superclásico meanwhile Guaraní have suffered the same fate a few times this season, unable to take all three points because they just lack that finishing touch up front.
Cerro Porteño: D. Barreto; M. Corujo, M. Uglessich, P. Benítez, L. Cardozo; J. Rojas, J. Dos Santos, A. González, J. Fabbro; É. Benítez, S. Salcedo
Subs: F. Oviedo for E. Benitez, I.Torres for E. Benitez, L. Caceres for J. Dos Santos
Guaraní: J. Silva; E. Filippini, L. Cabral, J. Manzur, E. Marecos; N. Romero, M. Palau, D. Figueredo, B. Cáceres; D. Ocampo; D. López
Subs: F.Escobar for B.Caceres, C.Hidalgo for D. Lopez, P.Chavez for D.Figueredo
Almirón Angry: The Independiente central defender walked off the pitch and instead of heading right to the dressing room he went left towards the car park and specifically a fan who had been laying into him for the heavy defeat. Fortunately he was held back by friends and the fan was dragged away. Almost 30 minutes later when Almirón emerged from the dressing room his family asked “Who was that you nearly had a fight with?” – the response was a grunt, he clearly hadn’t calmed down.
Team of the Week: Diego Barreto (Cerro Porteño); Denis Caniza (Nacional), Luciano Vera (Tacuary), Pedro Benitez (Cerro Porteño), Sebastián Ariosa (Olimpia); Julio Dos Santos (Cerro Porteño), Silvio Torales (Nacional), Fabio Caballero (Olimpia), Eduardo Echeverría (Carapeguá); Javier Gonzalez (Nacional), Pablo Velazquez (Libertad)
Player of the Week: I was tempted to give Eduardo Echeverría an honorary mention as the Carapeguá midfielder has now joined José Ortigoza at the top of the list but as I didn’t see him play it would be a slightly blind decision. Therefore this week’s winner is veteran full back Denis Caniza who scored a good goal, got an assist and was generally a pest all day down Nacional’s right hand side.
The 37-year-old is player of the week - Photo: Prensa Club Nacional
Donkey of the Week: The barra or barras of Cerro Porteño fighting amongst themselves in the stands making it unsafe for families who want to go to a game and not pay a fortune. It should be of huge embarrassment to J.J.Zapag and his board of directors that they are still unable to control this the same weekend that their arch-rivals Olimpia were launching a new ‘smart card’ ticketing system for their socios. As one club moves forward the other stays stuck in the past.
Intermedia Results: 2 de Mayo 1 – 2 3 de Febrero, Resistencia 1 – 4 Sportivo Trinidense, Fernando de la Mora 2 – 3 Sportivo Iteño, General Caballero ZC 2 – 2 29 de Setiembre, Deportivo Capiatá 5 – 0 Atl River Plate, Paranaense FC 0 – 0 General Díaz, Sport Colombia 0- 1 Atl. Colegiales, Deportivo Santaní 0 – 0 Sp. San Lorenzo
