Brazil vs Paraguay
Time: 1:50 UK
Date: 10th June
Stage: Qualifying Stage
Competition: World Cup Qualifying
Venue: José do Rego Maciel
The battle will be tough, undoubtedly. As the Brazilians are still looking to get back the strength and might they once had by winning more games, the Paraguayans are seeking to bounce back convincingly from their drought of victories in the qualifiers since October 2008.
Paraguay’s Star man Roque Santa Cruz is fading away from the spotlight. The striker’s disappointing season with English side Blackburn Rovers seemed to have tarnished his mentality and ability to shine on the big stage.
However, the Paraguayan team is not only about one player. La Albirroja have eleven good players on the pitch and substitutes as well who can make up their mark and work together as a team. A 2-0 loss to Uruguay was hugely devastating for the group leaders and this result almost succeeded with a 1-0 defeat to Ecuador. But a last-gasp goal from Edgar Benitez Santander provided Paraguay with a vital point to boost their spirits ahead of the rest of the World Cup qualifying campaign.
Now it’s left to know whether the Paraguayans can pick up from there and go on to beat Brazil away from home.
With Brazil’s stars seeming to be in good shape lately, it goes without saying that the Samba Boys are favorites going into the game. However, the omission of two of Brazil’s greatest figures – Ronaldo and Ronaldinho – may have a pivotal impact on the outcome of the game.
According to Brazil’s coach Carlos Dunga, he decided to leave out the likes of these two players for no other reason but their own good.
Speaking to the media, the manager explained concerning Ronaldinho (who was unimpressive in AC Milan’s 3-2 defeat to AS Rome a week ago):
"I'm going to do everything possible to help him recover.”
"I have confidence in him, he's a special player. He's having a bad time but I hope he can get over this."
Despite breaking the home-drought-of-goals curse with a 3-0 crushing victory against Peru, Brazil are yet to prove their might in their own fortress in these qualifiers. Former national team regular striker Ronaldo seems to be in a terrific goal scoring form for his current club Corinthians, but even his statistics didn’t rush Dunga to include him in Brazil’s qualifiers against Uruguay and Paraguay.
"We want to see the Ronaldo that we all know," Coach Carlos Dunga stated.
"But he's going to have to prove with his club that he's ready to be called up."
"We've stuck to our guns and picked players who are doing well at club level,” he continued.
“We have to use common sense to do the best for Brazil."
Dunga’s man-squad revealed some surprises. The former Brazil captain chose to include four home-based in his list. Defenders Kleber and Andre Santos, as well as midfielder Ramires and, forward Nilmar are all part of the Brazilian squad that will face Paraguay after clashing against Uruguay.
Three uncapped players among Coach Dunga’s team selection are Kleber, Ramires, and Gremio’s goalkeeper Victor. Tottenham’s stopper Gomes also enjoyed a call-up as Brazil’s second choice keeper Doni is yet to recover from an injury.
Dunga has also called up Manchester United’s Champions League runner-up Anderson while Barcelona’s Dani Alves makes it into the national team squad too.
Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Gomes (Tottenham Hotspur), Victor (Gremio)
Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Alex (Chelsea), Juan (AS Roma), Lucio (Bayern Munich), Luisao (Benfica), Kleber (Internacional), Andre Santos (Corinthians).
Midfielders: Anderson (Manchester United), Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Josue (VfL Wolfsburg), Ramires (Cruzeiro), Elano (Manchester City), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina), Julio Baptista (AS Roma), Kaka (AC Milan)
Forwards: Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Nilmar (Internacional), Robinho (Manchester City).
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