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Paraguay national football team

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Paraguay
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Guaraníes,
La Albirroja (White and red)
AssociationAsociación Paraguaya de Fútbol
ConfederationCONMEBOL (South America)
Head coachArgentina Gerardo Martino (2007-)
CaptainJulio César Cáceres
Most capsCarlos Gamarra (110)
Top scorerJosé Saturnino Cardozo (25)
Home stadiumEstadio Defensores del Chaco
FIFA codePAR
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current26
Highest8 (March 2001)
Lowest103 (May 1995)
First international
Paraguay Paraguay 1 - 5 Argentina Argentina
(Asunción, Paraguay; 11 March, 1919)
Biggest win
Paraguay Paraguay 7 - 0 Bolivia Bolivia
(Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 30 April, 1949)
Biggest defeat
Argentina Argentina 8 - 0 Paraguay Paraguay
(Santiago, Chile; 20 October, 1926)
World Cup
Appearances7 (first in 1930)
Best resultRound 2, 1986, 1998, 2002
Copa América
Appearances32 (first in 1921)
Best resultWinners, 1953 and 1979
Olympic medal record
Men's Football
Silver medal – second place 2004 Athens Team

The Paraguay national football team is the national team of Paraguay and is controlled by the Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol.The Paraguay national football team has reached the second round of the World Cup on three occasions (in 1986, 1998 and 2002) but has never advanced beyond that stage. Paraguay's only major tournament victories have come in the Copa América, in which they triumphed in 1953 and 1979. They also won a silver medal in the football tournament at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, being defeated 1-0 by Argentina in the final.

History

The beginning (1900-1930)

Soon after the introduction of football in Paraguay by Williams Paats, the Liga Paraguaya de Futbol (today Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol) was created in 1906. The first national football team was organized in 1910 when an invitation by the Argentine club Hércules of Corrientes was received to play a friendly match. Members of that first nationall team where F. Melián, G. Almeida, A. Rodríguez, M. Barrios, P. Samaniego, J. Morín, Z. Gadea, D. Andreani, C. Mena Porta, B. Villamayor, M. Rojas and E. Erico. The match ended in a 0-0 draw.[1]

Because of the increasing number of invitations to play matches and international tournaments, the Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol decided to officially create the national team and select the striped red and white jerseys that until this date remain as the official colours (taken from the Paraguayan flag). In late 1919 Paraguay accepted the invitation to play the 1921 Copa America and in order to prepare for that occasion a number of friendly matches were played between 1919 and the start of the tournament in 1921. The first of those friendly matches was a 5-1 loss against Argentina, and it marked the first international game by the Paraguayan national football team. When the 1921 Copa America finally arrived, Paraguay surprised everybody by beating then three-time South American champions Uruguay by 2-1, being this the first match in an official competition for the Paraguayan football team. Paraguay eventually finished fourth in the tournament and became a regular participant of the tournament for the next editions.

In 1930 Paraguay participated in the first World Cup, organized by Uruguay. In the first round, Paraguay debuted and lost to the United States (0-3), to then defeat Belgium (1-0) with a goal by Luis Vargas Peña. Only one team was to advance from the group stage, and the U.S. left Paraguay behind.

First taste of success (1930-1970)

File:DelfínBenítezCáceres.jpg
Striker Delfín Benítez Cáceres in 1930

After good participations in the Copa America tournaments of 1929, 1947 and 1949 (where Paraguay finished in second place), Paraguay was ready for their next World Cup competition.

The return to the World Cup was in 1950, where Paraguay faced Sweden and Italy in Group 3. Paraguay failed to advance to the next round after a 2-2 draw against Sweden and a 2-0 loss against Italy.

The first big success came in 1953 when Paraguay won the Copa America disputed in Peru. In their road to the championship, Paraguay defeated Chile (3-0), Bolivia (2-1) and Brazil (2-1); and tied against Ecuador (0-0), Peru (2-2) and Uruguay (2-2). Since Paraguay and Brazil were tied in points at the end of the tournament, a final playoff match was played between them, with Paraguay winning the final by 3-2. Key players of the campaign included Angel Berni, Heriberto Herrera and Ruben Fernandez. The coach was Manuel Fleitas Solich.[2]

For the 1958 World Cup, Paraguay surprisingly qualified ahead of Uruguay (beating them 5-0 in the decisive game) with a team that contained a formidable attacking lineup with stars such as Juan Aguero, Jose Parodi, Juan Romero, Cayetano Ré and Florencio Amarilla. In their first game in Sweden, Paraguay were 3-2 up against France in a game they lost 7-3. A 3-2 win over Scotland and a 3-3 draw with Yugoslavia saw Paraguay finish third in their group.

The departure of several of their stars for European football (mainly Spain) resulted in a weakening of Paraguay's football fortunes somewhat, but they were only edged out by Mexico in the 1962 qualifiers.

More continental success (1970-1990)

Paraguay fell short in subsequent World Cup qualifying campaigns, but Copa América success (and that of one of its premier clubs Olimpia in the Copa Libertadores) in 1979 shored up Paraguay as a solid player on the continent.

The 1979 Copa América was won by Paraguay after finishing first in Group C (which had Uruguay and Ecuador as well) with two wins and two draws. In the semi-finals Paraguay defeated Brazil by an aggregate score of 4-3. In the finals, Paraguay defeated Chile by an aggregate score of 3-1 to claim its second continental crown. Players such as Julio Cesar Romero (Romerito), Carlos Alberto Kiese, Alicio Solalinde, Roberto Paredes, Hugo Ricardo Talavera and Eugenio Morel where an important part of the team, coached by Ranulfo Miranda.[3]

Paraguay ended a 28-year absence from the World Cup in 1986 with a team starring Roberto "Gato" Fernandez in goal; Cesar Zavala, Rogelio Delgado and Juan Bautista Torales in defense; Jorge Amado Nunes and Vladimiro Chetinna in midfield; midfield playmaker Romerito and strikers Roberto Cabañas, Ramon Angel Maria Hicks and Rolando Chilavert (older brother of Jose Luis Chilavert). In first round matches, Paraguay defeated Iraq (1-0, goal Romerito) and then tied Mexico (1-1, goal Romerito) and Belgium (2-2, both goals Roberto Cabañas). They reached the second round where they were beaten 3-0 by England. [4]

The golden generation (1990-2006)

A drought followed once again, as Paraguay failed to reach the Italy 1990 and U.S. 1994 World Cups.

In 1992, Paraguay won the South American Pre-Olympic tournament, which guaranteed a spot in the 1992 Summer Olympics football competition. In the Olympics, Paraguay finished second in its group and were eliminated by Ghana in the quarterfinals. The most important aspect of that Paraguay team was the emergence of new young players like Carlos Gamarra, Celso Ayala, Jose Luis Chilavert, Francisco Arce and Jose Cardozo, which became part of the "golden generation" that led Paraguay to three straight World Cups and good performances in continental competitions, establishing Paraguay as one of the top teams in South America along Brazil and Argentina.

This new generation of players helped end the World Cup drought in grand fashion, as the Albirroja reached the France 1998 World Cup by qualifying in second place in South America behind Argentina. The first round matches were against Bulgaria (0-0), Spain (0-0), and Nigeria (3-1; goals Celso Ayala, Miguel Angel Benitez and Jose Cardozo). Paraguay qualified to the second round (Round of 16) to be defeated in a thrilling match against would-be World Champions France. France only scored through Laurent Blanc in the 114th minute, during the second half of overtime (making it the first golden goal scored in a World Cup). Paraguay's central defending duo (Carlos Gamarra and Celso Ayala) and goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert were selected for the all-star World Cup team.

Paraguay returned to the World’s greatest stage once more in the 2002 World Cup. In their first match, Paraguay tied South Africa 2-2 (goals: Roque Santa Cruz and Francisco Arce). Paraguay lost to Spain in the second game (1-3) and finally defeated Slovenia (3-1; goals Nelson Cuevas, twice, and Jorge Luis Campos) to qualify for the second round. Germany ended Paraguay’s dreams in the World Cup with an 88 minute goal.

In 2006, Paraguay qualified for its third World Cup in a row. This time, two early defeats against England and Sweden (both 0-1) sent the team home early. The only consolation was defeating Trinidad and Tobago during the last and final group game by 2-0.

The present

After the 2006 World Cup, Anibal Ruiz resigned as head coach and Raul Vicente Amarilla was assigned as the interim coach. In 2007, Argentine Gerardo "Tata" Martino was designated as head-coach. The former Newell's Old Boys (Rosario, Argentina) skipper's coaching career had blossomed in Paraguay where he formerly coached Libertad and Cerro Porteño. He was a clear and logical choice for the Paraguayan FA.

Paraguay's current squad is undergoing a transition because of the retirement of key players such as Carlos Gamarra, Francisco Arce , Celso Ayala, and goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert. Paraguay's under-19 side won the Milk Cup in 2002, 2003 and 2006, and players such as Nelson Valdez, Julio Dos Santos, José Montiel and Oscar Cardozo are thought key to the re-building of the team.

Currently the squad coached by Gerardo "Tata" Martino is leading the standings in the qualification for the 2010 World Cup.

The usual starting line-up during the qualifiers has been with: Justo Villar at goal; Roberto Bonet or Denis Caniza on the right, Da Silva and Julio Caceres in the middle, Claudio Morel on the left. In the midfield, "Topo" Caceres and Christian Riveros have been playing in the center, while Barreto and Jonathan Santana play on the outsides. Up front, it has been Salvador Cabañas, Roque Santa Cruz alternating with Cardozo and Nelson Haedo Valdez. Carlos Humberto Paredes is expected to return to the starting line-up in midfield in June.

World Cup record

Copa América record

 

Pan American Games record

Most Paraguay caps

Player Paraguay career Caps (Goals)
Carlos Gamarra 1993-2006 110 (12)
Roberto Acuña 1993-2006 97 (5)
Celso Ayala 1993-2003 85 (6)
José Saturnino Cardozo 1991-2006 82 (25)
Denis Caniza 1996-2006 79 (1)
Roberto Fernández 1976-1989 78 (0)
Juan Bautista Torales 1979-1989 77 (1)
José Luis Chilavert 1989-2003 74 (8)
Estanislao Struway 1991-2002 74 (4)
Carlos Humberto Paredes 1998-present 72 (10)
Julio César Enciso 1995-2004 70 (2)

Top Paraguay goalscorers

Player Paraguay career Goals (Caps)
José Saturnino Cardozo 1991-2006 25 (82)
Roque Santa Cruz 1999-present 16 (50)
Saturnino Arrúa 1969-1980 13 (26)
Julio César Romero 1979-1986 13 (32)
Gerardo Rivas 1921-1926 12 (32)
Carlos Gamarra 1993-2006 12 (110)
Miguel Angel Benítez 1996-1999 11 (29)
Juan Bautista Villalba 1945-1947 10 (22)
Aurelio González 1924-1937 10 (23)
Carlos Humberto Paredes 1998-present 10 (72)

Famous players

Notable Coaches

Current team status

Paraguay is currently participating in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers and after four rounds of competition sits in first place with three wins and one draw.

Main article: 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)

Last and next games

 Paraguay - Brazil  - Asuncion, Paraguay - 14 June, 2008. (FIFA World Cup 2010)

Current Squad

The following players were called for the friendly match against Honduras on February 6 2008.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Derlis Gomez 2 November 1972 7 0 Paraguay Club Nacional
1GK Aldo Bobadilla 20 April 1976 15 0 Colombia Independiente Medellín
2DF Enrique Meza 28 November 1985 1 0 Paraguay Club Nacional
2DF Marcos Cáceres May 5 1986 Argentina Racing Club de Avellaneda
2DF Edgar Balbuena 20 November 1980 Paraguay Libertad
2DF Julio Manzur 22 June 1981 22 0 Mexico Pachuca
2DF Paulo da Silva 1 February 1980 52 3 Mexico Toluca
2DF Darío Verón 26 July 1979 14 0 Mexico UNAM
3MF Jonathan Santana 19 October 1981 8 0 Germany VfL Wolfsburg
3MF Sergio Aquino 21 September 1979 1 0 Paraguay Libertad
3MF Victor Cáceres 25 March 1985 8 0 Paraguay Libertad
3MF Edgar González 4 October 1979 13 0 Argentina Estudiantes de La Plata
3MF Carlos Bonet 2 October 1977 46 1 Mexico Cruz Azul
4FW Pablo Zeballos 4 March 1986 1 0 Mexico Cruz Azul
4FW Nelson Romero 18 November 1984 Paraguay Libertad
4FW Manuel Maciel 12 February 1984 1 0 Mexico Toluca
4FW Luis Paéz 19 December 1989 0 0 Portugal Sporting
4FW Dante López 16 August 1983 17 3 Paraguay Libertad
4FW Oscar Cardozo 20 May 1983 13 2 Portugal S.L. Benfica

Recent Call Ups

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Justo Villar 30 June 1977 51 0 Argentina Newell's Old Boys
3 2DF Claudio Morel Rodríguez 2 February, 1978 11 0 Argentina Boca Juniors
5 2DF Julio César Cáceres (C) 5 October, 1979 38 2 Argentina Boca Juniors
7 4FW Salvador Cabañas 5 August 1980 30 5 Mexico América
8 3MF Edgar Barreto 15 July 1984 22 0 Italy Reggina
9 4FW Roque Santa Cruz 16 August 1981 50 14 England Blackburn Rovers
10 3MF Julio dos Santos 5 May 1983 23 5 Germany Bayern Munich [5]
11 3MF Aureliano Torres 16 June, 1982 14 1 Argentina San Lorenzo de Almagro
12 1GK Joel Zayas 17 September 1977 0 0 Paraguay Guaraní
13 3MF Domingo Salcedo 9 November 1983 6 0 Chile Colo Colo
16 3MF Cristian Riveros 16 October 1982 19 1 Mexico Cruz Azul
20 2DF Enrique Vera March 10 1979 4 0 Ecuador LDU Quito
21 4FW Nelson Cuevas 10 January 1980 41 6 Paraguay Libertad

References

  1. ^ Template:Es icon http://www.albirroja.com/history/history2.html
  2. ^ Southamerican Championship 1953
  3. ^ Copa América 1979
  4. ^ Template:Es icon http://www.albirroja.com/history/history6.html
  5. ^ Julio dos Santos: On loan at UD Almería.

Titles

Preceded by South American Champions
1953 (First title) 		Succeeded by
Preceded by South American Champions
1979 (Second title) 		Succeeded by

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