World Cup Qualifiers: Paraguay’s history boys taught another lesson

Paraguay conceded their first ever goals to Venezuela in a World Cup Qualifier at home as they crashed to a 2-0 reverse that puts them bottom of the qualifying group. It was another historic moment involving this Paraguay side having also lost to Argentina away for the first time since 1973 and failed to beat Uruguay for the first time at home back in October 2011.

Salvador Cabañas with the caption “We miss you” – Photo: D10.com.py

World Cup Qualification looks a fairly distant prospect now with Paraguay 8 points behind Chile in 5th place and have to play Pekerman’s all-conquering Colombia away in the next round of games. They have also been leaking goals under new coach Gerardo Pelusso, it is now 8 in three games particularly worrying when you consider that Guatemala and Venezuela are hardly world-beaters.

I didn’t see the game itself (I was at Honduras vs Cuba) but the gamble by Gerardo Pelusso to change five players from the Argentina match and line up with a back three obviously didn’t work. Salomon Rondón scored both goals, the second coming after a comic (or tragic for Paraguay supporters) error by Justo Villar.

While there are plenty of people lamenting this situation and looking for people to blame the reality is that Paraguay can’t expect to qualify for five straight World Cups, they’ve been outdoing themselves for so long now and eventually something had to give. It is just such a shame it happens to be the South American World Cup that they are set to miss out on.

By Ralph Hannah

World Cup Qualifiers: Paraguay vs Venezuela preview

Paraguay vs Venezuela
Estadio Defensores del Chaco
11/09/2012, 19.25 hs (00:25 BST)

A recent poll on a Paraguayan sports website asked if this game was ‘Win or Bust’ for the albirroja with 90% of voters responding ‘Yes’. The opponents are equally motivated following last year’s Copa América semi-final defeat on penalties as they look to score their first ever goal against Paraguay in the Defensores del Chaco. It promises to be a hard-fought game between two sides on a three game winless run in the qualifiers and looking to turn things round.

Paraguay in training ahead of Venezuela game – Photo: D10.com.py

Paraguay weren’t good enough against Argentina but their display was better than the lacklustre performaces previously against Peru, Chile and Bolivia. Under Pelusso they looked more like a Martino team, pressing hard and trying to recover the ball as quick as possible. Against Venezuela they will need to keep the ball better when they do get possession, something which full back Ivan Piris indicated in the recent press conference. With that in mind Pelusso is going for some drastic changes and is expected to play with three at the back to have more bodies in midfield. While Jonathan Fabbro will be the link between midfield and attack the support from the wingbacks is expected to come from Miguel Samudio and Carlos Bonet who both ply their trade in the local league. Up front Roque is expected to make way for Haedo (assuming he shrugs off a niggle) and he will probably partner Oscar Cardozo.

Fabbro and Riveros are set to keep their place in starting XI – Photo: Prensa Selección Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol

Venezuela, like Paraguay, have struggled for goals from open play – four of their five strikes have been via set pieces and come into this game knowing that they are on a depressingly familiar course. In the 2010 qualifiers a promising start was ended by a five game winless run that they couldn’t recover from. It began with a 1-1 draw to Uruguay followed by a reverse on home soil to Chile, and away defeats to Peru, Paraguay before losing at home to Brazil. In the last three qualifiers they have drawn 1-1 with Uruguay and been beaten in the subsequent games against Chile and Peru, the vinotinto must be feeling a sense of déjà vu.

Prediction: Paraguay are leaking goals under Pelusso and going to three at the back probably won’t help stability, having said that I can’t see the albirroja failing to win at home, 3-2

Paraguay XI (possible): Justo Villar; Dario Verón, Paulo Da Silva, Antolin Alcaraz; Carlos Bonet, Víctor Cáceres, Cristian Riveros, Miguel Samudio; Jonathan Fabbro; Nelson Haedo, Oscar Cardozo

SELECTED ODDS: Paraguay win 1.61; Draw 4.0; Venezuela 7.2; 3-2 scoreline 36.0; Over 2.5 goals 2.08

BEST BET: The BTTS (Both Teams to Score) bet worked against Argentina and looks decent again at just over evens, especially considering the shaky defences

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STATS AND TRIVIA

Venezuela have only scored two goals on Paraguayan soil both in Ciudad del Este, one in a friendly vs Paraguay and one in a 3-1 Copa America defeat to Mexico.

Paraguay vs Venezuela Head-to-Head (World Cup Qualifiers)

Pld 10 W 9 D 0 L 1 GF 16 GA 4

There is a whole blog post dedicated to stats which you can check out here.

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PARAGUAY FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Justo Villar (Estudiantes LP), Antony Silva (Dep. Tolima), Diego Barreto (Cerro Porteño)

Defenders: Paulo Da Silva (Pachuca), Antolín Alcaraz (Wigan Athletic), Darío Verón (Pumas), Carlos Bonet (Cerro Porteño), Iván Piris (Roma), Pedro Benítez (Cerro Porteño), Miguel Samudio (Libertad), Richard Ortiz (Olimpia), Salustiano Candia (Olimpia)

Midfielders: Víctor Cáceres (Flamengo), Cristian Riveros (Kayserispor), Hernán Pérez (Villarreal), Víctor Ayala (Lanus), Marcelo Estigarribia (Sampdoria), Julio Dos Santos (Cerro Porteño), Fidencio Oviedo (Cerro Porteño), Jonathan Fabbro (Cerro Porteño)

Strikers: Roque Santa Cruz (Málaga), Nelson Haedo (Valencia), Óscar Cardozo (Benfica), Édgar Benítez (Toluca), Luis Nery Caballero (Krylya Sovetov Samara)

World Cup Qualifiers: Paraguay vs Venezuela stat pack

Before the Venezuela preview here are a few stats to get a better grip of the rivalry between Paraguay and the vinotinto who clash on Tuesday 11th September in the Defensores del Chaco. As you can see the albirroja have a great record against their rivals.

Form Guide

Paraguay last 5 games

Pld 5 W 2 D 1 L 2 GF 87GA 9

Paraguay last 5 home games

Pld 5 W 4 D 1 L 0 GF 8 GA 3

Paraguay last 5 World Cup Qualifiers

Pld 5 W 1 D 1 L 3 GF 5 GA 10

Oscar Cardozo on Saturday – Photo: Prensa Selección Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol

Paraguay last 5 home World Cup Qualifiers

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

Head-to-Head

Paraguay vs Venezuela Overall

Pld 21 W 15 D 4 L 2 GF 44 GA 18

Paraguay vs Venezuela World Cup Qualifiers

Pld 10 W 9 D 0 L 1 GF 16 GA 4

Paraguay vs Venezuela World Cup Qualifiers in Asunción

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

Scoring

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

Pld 18 W 15 D 3 L 0 – the last time Paraguay scored first and lost was WCQ away to Brazil in 2009

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

Pld 14 W 0 D 3 L 11 - the last time Paraguay conceded first and won was WCQ at home to Uruguay in 2003

Paraguay’s goal scorers in World Cup Qualifiers since 2007

Salvador Cabañas x 6

Nelson Haedo Valdez x 5

Crisitian Riveros x 5

Roque Santa Cruz x 3

Pelusso at Paraguay training – Photo: Prensa Seleccion Paraguaya de Fútbol

Oscar Cardozo x 2

Paulo da Silva x 2

Richard Ortiz

Dario Verón

Edgar Benitez

Néstor Ayala

Jonathan Fabbro

Paraguay’s goalscorers in last ten matches

Edgar Benitez x 3

Jonathan Fabbro x 2

Cristian Riveros x 2

Oscar Cardozo

Dario Veron

Julio Manzur

José Ortigoza

Ariel Bogado

Jonathan Santana

Ricardo Mazacotte

Hernan Perez

By Ralph Hannah

 

Copa Sudamericana 2012: Mineros de Guayana vs Cerro Porteño preview

Mineros de Guayana vs Cerro Porteño
Centro Total de Entretenimiento Cachamay
29/08/2012, 20:45 (01:45 BST)

Cerro Porteño find themselves with arguably an easier tie than in the first round where they played the Chilean vice-champions, in Ciudad Guayana they face the 2011 Venezuelan cup winners. The onus as always in away game is to avoid defeat but the Paraguayans will be confident they can snatch a win in Puerto Ordaz on the Caribbean coast. They have a decent record on their travels to Venezuela having beaten Táchira (2-0) and drawing with Petare (1-1) there in the 2011 Libertadores.

Julio Dos Santos in training in Venezuela – Photol: http://www.cerro.com.py

Jorge Fossati seems to naturally favour attack as the best form of defence, at least with the players he has at his disposal. The coach will stick with the standard 3-5-2 system that has worked well so far as Jonathan Fabbro joins attacks and Fidencio Oviedo is the key ball winner in the middle of the park. Luis Cardozo is the only injury concern, he hasn’t be able to shake a niggle and Mariano Uglessich will continue in defence.

Cerro fans in the previous game against O’Higgins – Photo: Prensa CCP

Mineros de Guayana are a bit of a surprise package, or to be blunt I haven’t seen them play before this tournament and can only speculate as to how they will play. From what I’ve read they are an experienced and organised group of players and they shouldn’t be written off having beaten La Equidad in both legs in the 1st phase. Alejandro Guerra was the star in that tie, the midfielder scoring in both games, and is a two-time Venezuelan champion with former club Caracas FC.

Cerro Porteño XI (probable): Diego Barreto; Mariano Uglessich, Pedro Benítez, Cesar Benítez; Carlos Bonet, Fidencio Oviedo, Julio dos Santos, Walter López; Jonathan Fabbro; Rodrigo López, Santiago Salcedo

Prediction: 0-2

Selected Odds: Mineros win 2.8, Draw 3.25, Cerro Porteño win 2.82, 0-2 scoreline 15.5, Under 2.5 goals 1.72

Best Bet: Backing Cerro DNB (Draw No Bet) saved me in their previous away leg to O’Higgins and I think at evens it is a nice bet to take instead of the outright win especially if, like me, you are smarting from the Olimpia loss last night

For more betting tips visit CaStRoF betting tips

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Stats and Trivia

Cerro Porteño vs Venezuelan opposition (in Venezuela)

Pld 9 W  5 D 3 L 1 – stat via Andres Riquelme

Cerro Porteño last 5 away (Copa Sudamericana)

Pld 5 W 1 D 1 L 3 GF 8 GA 10

Mineros last 5 home (all competitions)

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

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FULL SQUAD LIST

GK: Roberto Junior Fernandez, Diego Barreto, Pablo Gavilan

DEF: Cesar Benitez, Pedro Benitez, Carlos Bonet, Gonzalo Viera, Walter Lopez, Mathias Corujo, Victor Hugo Mareco

MID: Julio Dos Santos, Fidencio Oviedo, Jonathan Fabbro, Jorge Rojas, José Domingo Salcedo, Edgar Gonzalez, Juan Manuel Lucero

ATT: Hernán Rodrigo Lopez, Alejandro da Silva, Santiago Salcedo, Roberto Nanni

By Ralph Hannah

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

Paraguay Talent: Albirroja U20s beat Venezuela and rule Arequipa

A second straight win for the Paraguay U20s side last night against Venezuela has secured the Copa Ciudad de Arequipa title with one game left to play. They recorded a 3-1 victory against the vinotinto thanks to a strong second half display. The first half finished even as Paraguay’s opener (an own goal following Diego Escobar’s freekick) was cancelled out by a strike from Josef Martinez. In the final 45 minutes Paraguay turned on the style with Maurito Caballero scoring from a spot kick before substitute Cecilio Dominguez grabbed his second in as many games to complete the victory.

They finish the competition, a warm up to the 2013 Sudamericano in Argentina this coming January,  against Colombia on Saturday before returning to Paraguay to rejoin their clubs.

Celebrating the win vs Venezuela – Photo: Prensa Selección Paraguaya

Paraguay XI: Alejandro Bogado, Carlos González (HT Juan Villamayor & 84′ Marcelo Ferreira), Gustavo Gómez, Junior Alonso, Teodoro Paredes, Diego Escobar, Rubén Monges, Iván Ramírez, Miguel Almirón (61’ Marcelo Montiel), Maurito Caballero (76 Ángel Lucena), Juan Sánchez (61’ Cecilio Domínguez)

By Ralph Hannah

Pelusso names Paraguay squad for qualifiers with Argentina and Venezuela

This afternoon Gerardo Pelusso named his first competitive squad for the World Cup Qualifiers in Córdoba against Argentina on September 7th and the home game in Asunción versus Venezuela on September 11th. The preliminary list is of 20 players currently playing outside of Paraguay, on August 31st the Uruguayan coach will confirm his squad with the inclusion of names from the local leagues.

Pelusso has picked his squad – Photo: Prensa Selección Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol

In general the squad is the same set of names that took on Guatemala in a friendly last week but there are a few new faces. Notably the ex-Libertad pair of versatile midfielder Víctor Ayala and in-form striker Robin Ramirez have earned call ups, Ayala was a key player in the previous home qualifiers thanks to his dead ball expertise. Ramirez on the other hand hasn’t featured much for the national team despite finishing top scorer in the Colombian Apertura. In defence there is a recall for full back Marcos Cáceres who seems to have found his feet at Newell’s Old Boys, even scoring at the weekend.

Robin Ramirez is back in the Albirroja set up

FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Justo Villar (Estudiantes LP, Argentina); Antony Silva (Deportes Tolima, Colombia).

Defenders: Paulo Da Silva (Pachuca, México), Darío Verón (Pumas, México), Antolín Alcaraz (Wigan Athletic, England), Iván Piris (Roma, Italy), Marcos Cáceres (Newell’s Old Boys, Argentina).

Midfielders: Víctor Ayala (Lanús, Argentina), Fernando Giménez (Emelec, Ecuador), Víctor Cáceres (Flamengo, Brazil), Hernán Pérez (Villarreal, Spain), Cristian Riveros (Kayserispor, Turkey), Marcelo Estigarribia (Sampdoria, Italy), Osvaldo Martínez (Atlante, México).

Forwards:  Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City, England), Nelson Haedo (Valencia, Spain), Óscar Cardozo (Benfica, Portugal), Edgar Benítez (Toluca, México), Luis Caballero (Krylya Sovetov, Russia),  Robin Ramírez (Deportes Tolima, Colombia)

By Ralph Hannah

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

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

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

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

1. Acclimatisation to altitude the right tactic

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

2. It is time for a Messi plan

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

3. Away points are vital

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

4. Venezuela: Don’t believe the hype

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

Rondon celebrates for Venezuela

5. Score the first goal

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

By Ralph Hannah

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