International Friendly: Paraguay vs Guatemala – 14 November 2012

Paraguay vs Guatemala
Estadio Feliciano Cáceres
14/11/2012, 20.00 hs (23.00 hs GMT)

Four times in one year, it has been jokingly dubbed ‘El Clásico’, as Paraguay face Guatemala in yet another international friendly following the late cancellation of the game with Puerto Rico. They return to the scene of the first game in Luque which the albirroja  won 2-1 . In Guatemala City it was also a victory for the South Americans but there was some fight back in round three, a 3-3 draw in Washington DC the highlight being Jonathan Fabbro’s international debut.

The first game in Luque finished 2-1 to Paraguay

Gerardo Pelusso has named a fairly strong team although if the truth be told we are not sure what his best side is and neither is he, there have been 25 players used in the first five games – Cristian Riveros and Paulo Da Silva the only to start every match. Jonathan Fabbro (2 starts, 3 sub appearances) and Víctor Cáceres (4 starts, 1 sub appearance) have also featured in all five. The Uruguayan has all but confirmed his starting eleven for tomorrow as he looks to play with a 4-3-3 formation he often used at Olimpia.

The basic idea will be for Ortiz and Oviedo to play as holding midfielders giving Julio Dos Santos license to find space in the final third to either hit Luis Caballero with balls into feet or find Nuñez and Benítez over the top. The latter two will almost certainly have too much pace for the Guatemala backline so if Dos Santos finds his range they could have a lot of joy down the flanks.

From Russia with Love, Caballero has traveled 13,000 km to be here – Photo: Prensa Selección Paraguaya de Fútbol

From what we’ve seen of Guatemala they like to play possession football and they usually go through Marco Pappa who I believe isn’t available for this friendly. The other player that caused problems three months ago was ‘Pescadito’ Ruíz, a slippery player that will cause Da Silva and Aguilar some problems if he starts.

PREDICTION: Paraguay at home must win this, 2-0

BEST BET: Haven’t seen any odds but would be very confident of home win looking at stats below

Paraguay XI probable (4-3-3): Diego Barreto; Iván Piris, Pablo Aguilar, Paulo Da Silva, Miguel Samudio; Richard Ortiz, Fidencio Oviedo, Julio Dos Santos; José Ariel Nuñez, Luis Caballero, Edgar Benítez

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STATS

Paraguay record vs Guatemala: Pld 9 W 7 D 2 L 0 GF 20 GA 9

Paraguay in Luque: Pld 4 W 2 D 1 L 1 GF 4 GA 3

Most frequent scoreline at home, 1-0 to Paraguay (23 times)

Paraguay vs CONCACAF opposition at home: Pld 8 W 7 D 1 L 0

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Full Squad list

Goalkeepers: Diego Barreto (Cerro Porteño, Paraguay), Antony Silva (Deportes Tolima, Colombia)

Defenders: Paulo Da Silva (Pachuca, México), Pablo Aguilar (Tijuana, México), Iván Piris (Roma, Italy), Miguel Samudio (Libertad, Paraguay), Gustavo Mencia (Libertad, Paraguay), Salustiano Candia (Olimpia, Paraguay), Claudio Vargas (Sportivo Luqueño, Paraguay)

Midfielders: Víctor Cáceres (Flamengo, Brasil), Hernán Pérez (Villarreal, Spain), Víctor Ayala (Lanús, Argentina), Richard Ortiz (Olimpia, Paraguay), Marcelo Estigarribia (Sampdoria, Italy), Lorenzo Melgarejo (Benfica, Portugal), Fidencio Oviedo (Cerro Porteño, Paraguay), Julio Dos Santos (Cerro Porteño, Paraguay), Jonathan Fabbro (Cerro Porteño, Paraguay).

Strikers: Rogerio Leichtweis (Cerro de Franco), Edgar Benítez (Toluca, México), Luis Caballero (Krylya Sovetov, Russia), José Ariel Núñez (Libertad, Paraguay).

** Justo Villar (Estudiantes) and Lucas Barrios (Guangzhou Evergrande) are injured

By Ralph Hannah

Copa Sudamericana 2012: Cerro win by the minimum margin

Cerro Porteño vs Tigre
Estadio La Olla
(1-0) 1-0 – Roberto Nanni 1′

As predicted in the preview, Cerro won to nil against their Argentine opponents and take a slender lead into the second leg to be played next week. Roberto Nanni was the scorer, heading in a Jonathan Fabbro cross just sixty seconds into the game played in a front of a passionate crowd in Barrio Obrero. The result preserves the incredible record of Cerro winning all seven Copa Sudamericana games in which Nanni has scored (3 in 2009, 4 in 2012).

Tigre were on the backfoot for most of the match but didn’t threaten from set pieces at times. The home side were comfortable in possession thanks to strong performances from captain Julio Dos Santos and Fidencio Oviedo in the middle of the park. Fabbro as ever threatened from both central and wide positions as he drifted into space to pick up the ball in the final third.

A packed Olla greeted Cerro – Photo: D10.com.py

Thankfully there were reports of crowd trouble following the shocking scenes from last week’s match against Colón in the same stadium. The result means Cerro Porteño travel to neighbouring Argentina next week knowing that one goal there will mean Tigre must score three to progress, Gorosito’s team look far from capable of that.

Cerro Porteño XI: Diego Barreto; Mariano Uglessich; César Benítez, Pedro Benítez; Carlos Bonet, Walter López, Julio Dos Santos (c), Fidencio Oviedo; Jonathan Fabbro; Roberto Nanni, Santiago Salcedo

Subs: Juan Manuel Lucero for Walter López, Domingo Salcedo for Santiago Salcedo, Victor Hugo Mareco for Fidencio Oviedo

By Ralph Hannah

Copa Sudamericana 2012: Cerro Porteño book place in quarter finals

Cerro Porteño vs Colón de Santa Fe
La Olla
(1-1) 2-1 – Nanni, Dos Santos; Gigliotti

Aggregate: 4-2

A pulsating game of football that had everything ended in victory for Cerro Porteño who reach the quarter finals as they bid to become the first Paraguayan side to win the Copa Sudamericana. The night was ruined by a riot amongst the Colón de Santa Fe barra which caused the game to be suspended for almost thirty minutes as the Paraguayan riot police waded in and dispersed the crowd in their typical heavy-handed manner (rubber bullets the method of choice). It was a sad incident that shouldn’t take away from a wonderful game of football, both teams positive and happy to attack.

Dos Santos’ winner – Photo: D10.com.py

The game came to life after just 60 seconds, former San Lorenzo man Emanuel Gigliotti headed home wonderkid Luis Mugni’s freekick as the Argentine side levelled the tie on aggregate. There was no way Cerro Porteño would try and hold on for an away goals win, they kept pressing and the tirless work by Fidencio Oviedo in defensive midfield was key in the equaliser that came after 11 minutes. Oviedo won the ball and played it into Roberto Nanni, the 2011 Copa Libertadores top scorer used his strength to hold off his marker and backheel the ball for Oviedo who had continued his run into the box, his pull back found Nanni who finished well. It was his third consecutive goal in this year’s tournament and his 13th in continental competitions for El Ciclón.

The winning goal came in the 69th minute, Fabbro had been relatively quiet but he showed his quality with a perfectly measured cross over that avoided the marker at the back post to find Julio Dos Santos. The midfielder chested the ball down and struck the ball coolly towards goal only to be denied by a Colon defender’s hand. The referee pointed to the spot and sent off the defender only to reverse his decision almost immediately on the advice of his assistant who indicated the ball was over the line. Goal given, red card rescinded with the replays vindicating the decision.

Colon fans leave their mark in the stadium – Photo: Courtesy of @danymacica

The game flowed for a few more minutes after the goal but the visiting fans had grown restless and began throwing stones and anything they could get their hands on. After 77 minutes the game was stopped as the Paraguayan riot police (Cascos Azules) swarmed into the stands to beat back the fans, unable to disperse the Argentinian supporters they began to fire rubber bullets into the air. Two Colon players were sent off in the aftermath for entering the stands – mixed reports as to whether they were looking out for their family or hitting policemen. Once the game did restart it was very subdued, Cerro didn’t particularly look for a third and Colon were just hanging on with 9 men, it was a shame to end such a good game in this way. Ultimately Cerro were good for their victory and fully deserve their place in the last eight as they look for more silverware in their centenary year.

Next Opponent: Tigre (ARG) or Deportivo Quito (ECU)

By Ralph Hannah

Copa Sudamericana 2012: Cerro Porteño vs Colón de Santa Fe

Cerro Porteño vs Colón de Santa Fe
Estadio Gral. Pablo Rojas a.k.a La Olla
23/10/2012, 19.15 (23.15 BST)

1st Leg: 2-1

Almost a month after their epic win in Argentina, Cerro Porteño return to Copa Sudamericana action following the international break with their second leg against Colón de Santa Fe. The Paraguayans will progress by avoiding defeat or losing 1-0, where they would await the winner of Thursday’s game between Deportivo Quito (ECU) and Tigre (ARG) in the quarter finals. We saw in the previous leg that Cerro were not afraid to take the game to their opponents but also rode their luck at times, relying on a series of stupendous saves from Diego Barreto.

Roberto Nanni is on good form – Photo: APF

A couple of changes to first leg starting XI are expected with the suspended Walter López replaced by Domingo Salcedo, also Roberto Nanni’s goals has made him a fixture in the first team as veteran Uruguayan Rodrigo López drops to the bench. In the first leg set pieces were important, leading to the first goal, and as ever Jonathan Fabbro and Julio Dos Santos will be the men in charge of the dead balls. The important figure too will be Nanni, the Argentine target man has been in good scoring form and is likely to cause Colón trouble at the back.

Colon de Santa Fe arriving in Paraguay – Photo: D10.com.py

Colón are on a bad run of form, needing a win tonight they have just one in their last eight and were beaten on Friday by Arsenal who themselves were on a five game winless run prior to that game. Ruben Ramirez was sent off in the incident with Walter López so Emanuel Gigliotti and ex-Cerro striker Jorge Achucarro will probably start up front. Roberto Sensini knows his side must score two for a chance to qualify so expect them to be positive and this will be an open game.

Cerro Porteño XI (probable): Diego Barreto; Mariano Uglessich, Pedro Benítez, César Benítez; Carlos Bonet, Fidencio Oviedo, Julio Dos Santos, Domingo Salcedo; Jonathan Fabbro; Roberto Nanni, Santiago Salcedo

Prediction: 3-1

Selected Odds: Cerro win 2.22, Draw 3.45, Colón win 3.65, 3-1 scoreline 21.0, Over 2.5 goals 2.14, Over 3.5 goals 4.0

Best Bet: With Colón no option but to attack and Cerro a naturally offensive side Over 2.5 is a safe bet, if you are adventurous then worth noting Cerro’s previous two home matches in the competition finished 4-0, Over 3.5 could just come off

For more betting tips visit CaStRoF betting tips

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Stats and Trivia

Cerro Porteño last 5 home (Copa Sudamericana)

Pld 5 W 3 D 1 L 1 GF 12 GA 4

Colón last 5 away (all competitions)

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

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FULL SQUAD LIST

GK: Roberto Junior Fernandez, Diego Barreto

DEF: Cesar Benitez, Pedro Benitez, Mariano Uglessich, Carlos Bonet, Gonzalo Viera, Victor Hugo Mareco, Luis Cardozo

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

ATT: 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

Copa Sudamericana 2012: Colón vs Cerro Porteño preview

Colón de Santa Fe vs Cerro Porteño
Estadio Brigadier General Estanislao López
27/09/2012, 20.25 (01.25 BST)

Cerro Porteño travel to Argentina for their first game in the country since the 0-0 draw with Estudiantes in the 2011 Copa Libertadores. For Jorge Fossati it is a return to the club he managed in 2002 and he expects a tough game stating that a draw wouldn’t be the end of the world. As we enter the ‘business end’ of the competition we will start to see if Fossati can draw on his experience in knock-out competitions as he looks to pick up his fourth continental trophy having won the 2009 Copa and Recopa Sudamericana before taking the AFC Champions League last year. He also finished third in the 2004 Copa América so the Uruguayan knows what is expected of him and his side at this stage of the tournament.

Hotel, Motel, Holiday Inn – Photo: D10.com.py

It will be the usual starting XI with Diego Barreto back from suspension to take his place in between the posts having missed out against Mineros. Jonathan Fabbro has four goals so far in the tournament and is as always the man to watch, but another player worth mentioning is 29-year-old Julio Dos Santos. A playmaker by trade he has had to operate deeper in order to accommodate Fabbro but has seemed to find his feet in this new role and is excellent in switching play from one flank to the other to bring Cerro’s wingbacks into play.

Cerro fans will travel in their thousands – Photo: Prensa CCP

Colón have been slightly disappointing recently and are four games without a win following a strong start to the season. In many ways that may galvanise the team, knowing that a title challenge is out of question the Copa Sudamericana is their best chance of silverware. The Santafesinos have a solid defence, as one would expect from a team coached by Sensini,  with experienced Bolivian international Ronald Raldes an important figure in the middle. Up front they will play with Ruben Ramirez and he could be partnered by the talented Emanuel Gigliotti. Former Cerro Porteño striker Jorge Achucarro isn’t expected to feature.

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

Prediction: 1-1

Selected Odds: Colón win 1.73, Draw 3.55, Cerro Porteño win 5.5, 1-1 scoreline 7.4, Under 2.5 goals 1.72

Best Bet: Cerro have drawn both their away games so far and a feature of their play has been scoring goals, both teams to score at 2.1 is tempting, I definitely think the home win is too short here

For more betting tips visit CaStRoF betting tips

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Stats and Trivia

Cerro Porteño last 5 away (Copa Sudamericana)

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

Colón last 5 home (all competitions)

Pld 5 W 2 D 2 L 1 GF 8 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, Luis Cardozo

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

ATT: 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

Week 7 Wrap: Luque go top as Guaraní are beaten in the East

In a weekend that saw Sol and Guaraní both lose their unbeaten records in the league (the only two clubs that hadn’t suffered defeat until yesterday) it can still be considered a fairly ‘normal’ week as for the first time in the Clausura the ‘Big 3’ of Cerro, Olimpia and Libertad all recorded victories. Luque were the double winners, beating Carapeguá to catch up with them in the promedio standings and moving top of the table at the same time. Here is a brief round-up of the televised games.

Tacuary vs Olimpia
Estadio Roberto Bettega
(2-2) 2-3 – Martinez, Viera; Salgueiro (2), Ortiz

Another thriller in Zeballos Cué, reminiscent of the famous Olimpia win by the same scoreline whihc effectively sealed the 2011 Clausura title. Credit must go to Tacuary who really took the game to their opponents early on and both teams played at an incredible pace in the first half. That initial forty-five minutes had four goals which left question marks hanging over both defences, particularly Olimpia’s with Alejandro Silva guilty of losing concentration to keep Nicolás Martinez onside for the opening goal. The equaliser was a touch of class from the best player on the pitch, Juan Manuel Salgueiro, the Uruguayan hit a direct freekick out of reach of Carlos Servín. Richard Ortiz scored what can only be described as a ‘playground goal’ as the ball became part of a scrap on the six-yard line following a corner. Diego Viera’s equaliser for Tacuary was also via a set piece with the free kick seemingly bouncing off a back and then an arm before being turned in. Olimpia appealed for a handball but on closer inspection it seemed to have struck their defender Enrique Meza’s forearm.

The second half saw Tacuary try and preserve the point they must have felt they had earned, they sat deep and tried to pick off Olimpia on the break. While the away side kept pushing for a winner, a turning point in the match came almost by chance – striker Arnaldo Castorino limped off with an injury and Gregorio Perez decided to send on winger Jorge Nuñez and change to a 4-4-2. The ploy worked well as Nuñez constantly put the ball into the box, it was direct but it caused unrest among the Tacuary defence. With ten minutes to go and the game still tied, Perez threw caution to the wind bringing on a striker for a defender. He got his reward for his bravery with three minutes to go, a Nuñez cross to the back post was headed back across goal by Maxi Biancucchi and Salgueiro arrived late to head in his second of the game and fourth of the season.

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Independiente vs Cerro Porteño
Estadio Defensores del Chaco
(0-0) 0-1 – Dos Santos

Like Olimpia, Cerro Porteño left it late to beat their lowly rivals in what was an exciting contest despite the lack of goals. Independiente struck the bar after just one minute through Aldo Vera and the nominal home side had several more chances to take the lead in the first half, most notably through Gabriel Avalos who got the better of Pedro Benitez only to fire over the bar. Cerro for their part were not without goalmouth action and looked particularly dangerous from set pieces as Independiente committed a lot of fouls in their own third.

Ultimately it was a moment of good fortune (coupled with Independiente’s profligacy in front of goal) that led to the winner. Julio Dos Santos whipped in a dangerous cross that evaded everybody including Blas Hermosilla and crept in. It was their 20th goal of the season scored in the last 15 minutes, an incredible statistic.

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Nacional vs Sol de América
Estadio Arsenio Erico
(1-0) 1-0 – Piris

Nacional’s captain and experienced centreback Raúl Piris got the only goal to earn the Academia their first home win of the season while condemning Sol to their first defeat. He thumped the ball into the roof of the net following a corner that wasn’t cleared properly.

Raúl Piris mobbed by teammates – Photo: Prensa Club Nacional

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Other results: As mentioned above Guaraní lost their unbeaten status when they crashed to defeat in Presidente Franco against Cerro de Franco, it was an excellent home win for the azulgrana who profited from Rogerio Leichtweis to score the only goal of the game. Luque were comfortable winners over Carapeguá, 3-1 with

Saguier gone: Carlos Jara Saguier has announced his resignation following Independiente’s latest defeat, the man who guided Paraguay to their only Olympic medal (Silver 2004) said he is ‘tired’ and has stepped aside.

Team of the Week: Diego Barreto (Cerro Porteño); Claudio David Vargas (Luque), Raúl Piris (Nacional), Mariano Uglessich (Cerro Porteño), Walter López (Cerro Porteño); Carlos Ruiz Peralta (Nacional), Richard Ortiz (Olimpia), Juan Manuel Salgueiro (Olimpia), Aldo Vera (Independiente); Rogerio Leichtweis (Cerro de Franco), José Ariel Nuñez (Libertad)

Player of the Week: Juan Manuel Salgueiro deserves it this week for his two goals and another strong all-round display for Olimpia, it begs the question just why was he left out of the team that played Emelec.

Juan Manuel Salgueiro is player of the week – Photo: D10.com.py

Goal of the Week: Salgueiro’s freekick was very good but my favourite was Adrián Duarte’s late goal for Luque, he raced onto the through ball and lifted it over the goalkeeper, check it out on the link below.

ALL THE GOALS

By Ralph Hannah