Having just put together their best ever qualification campaign, Paraguay are entitled to think big ahead of their fourth consecutive appearance at the World Cup.
Under the guidance of Argentinian coach Gerardo Martino, the current Albirroja crop look to have what it takes to build on the progress made by their predecessors at France 1998 and Korea/Japan 2002, where the Paraguayans reached the Round of 16 before being knocked out by France and Germany respectively.
The road to South Africa
Paraguay broke through the 30-point barrier for the first time since the current qualifying system came into being. Recording ten wins (the most in the group along with Chile), three draws and five defeats, they collected 33 points in all to finish third behind the Chileans and Brazil. Martino’s side confirmed their ticket to the finals in style with a 1-0 defeat of Argentina in Asuncion in September.
Star players
Martino can call on the services of several internationally renowned players, with the biggest names found up front. Roque Santa Cruz needs no introduction after several successful seasons in England, although Salvador Cabanas and Nelson Haedo Valdez scored 11 goals between them in the qualifiers.
The coach
Martino is yet another Argentinean tactician currently excelling in the South American game. Often compared to his mentor Marcelo Bielsa, Martino was rewarded for his efforts at club level when he took over the national side in 2006. The hard-working Argentinean proved to be an inspired choice, keeping a low profile as his side negotiated their way to South Africa 2010 in record-breaking fashion.
Facts
- Paraguay will be making their eighth World Cup appearance and their fourth in a row.
- La Albirroja/ have never won two games at the same final and have yet to progress beyond the Round of 16. — Fifa