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Paraguay will be doing it for Salvador Cabañas, when they take the field in South Africa on their 8th journey to the FIFA World Cup Finals. Their 29-year old star striker miraculously survived a bullet to the head in January, but will possibly spend the rest of his life in hospitals, after it was revealed that surgery to remove the bullet is currently out of the question.

Paraguay had an impressive qualification campaign, and Cabañas' contribution was vital to their success. The rest of the team will need to stand up as a unit and show they can shoulder the huge burden of expectations in South Africa 2010.

Paraguay has never made it past the Round of 16 at the World Cup, losing thrice previously at that stage. In Germany 2006, they failed to clear the first hurdle, losing 2 and winning just 1 of their group games. Paraguay may have it easier this time around, having been placed in Group F, which consists of defending champions Italy, Slovenia and New Zealand. Paraguay are ranked 30th in world and are the second highest ranked team in their group behind Italy.

In Copa America 2007, Paraguay made it to the quarter-finals but were knocked out by Mexico, at the wrong end of a 6-0 thumping. They impressed in the group stages though with convincing wins over USA and Colombia.

Paraguay became the second team to qualify from CONMEBOL after a 1-0 win over Argentina. They finished third behind Chile eventually, but were very impressive throughout their qualification run beating all comers.

They open their campaign against group favourites Italy, but it is quite likely that the two teams may end up cancelling each other out. After that it would become a case of who scores more goals against Slovenia and New Zealand, and Paraguay could well sneak away with top spot in the Group.

Key Players:

Oscar Cardozo - 27-year old Cardozo is a lanky striker with a stinging left foot. After a series of top class performances in Paraguay and Argentina, he transferred to Benfica, where he finished as the league's top scorer. He's good in the air and is an outside shot at the Golden Boot if Paraguay last long enough in the competition.

Roque Santa Cruz - One of the more popular footballers to ever come out of Paraguay, Roque Santa Cruz has made quite a name in Europe. After a long yet sub-par stint with Bayern Munich, the tall striker made his move to England where he shined at Blackburn Rovers. He was so impressive in the Premier League, that only 2 years into his contract a big money move to Manchester City came calling. Santa Cruz's domestic season was blighted with injury, though he did show some of skills in spits and bursts. A whole nation's expectations are weighed on the shoulders of the 28-year old.

Edgar Barreto - The Paraguayan midfielder made a name for himself at Serie A team Reggina. His displays on the pitch impressed a host of suitors and when his team got relegated he move to Atlanta for £4.5 million. The 25- year old is known for his long range strikes, and a strong performance from him in the heart of the midfield will be quintessential to Paraguay's hopes in the World Cup.

Team:

Goalkeepers: Justo Villa (Valladolid), Aldo Bobadilla (Independiente Medellin), Diego Barreto (Cerro Porteno).

Defenders: Julio Cesar Caceres (Atletico Mineiro), Denis Caniza (Leon), Dario Veron (Pumas), Paulo Da Silva (Sunderland), Claudio Morel (Boca Juniors), Carlos Bonet (Olimpia), Aureliano Torres (San Lorenzo), Antolin Alcaraz (Brugge).

Midfielders: Cristian Riveros (Sunderland), Jonathan Santana (Wolfsburg), Enrique Vera (Liga de Quito), Victor Caceres (Libertad), Nestor Ortigoza (Argentinos Juniors), Edgar Barreto (Atalanta).

Forwards: Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City), Oscar Cardozo (Benfica), Nelson Haedo Valdez (Borussia Dortmund), Rodolfo Gamarra (Libertad), Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dormund), Edgar Benitez (Pachuca).

Top Goal Scorers: Roque Santa Cruz (21), Nelson Haedo Valdez (9)

Most Capped Players: Denis Caniza (96), Justo Villar (71)

Form guide(WDLWD)
Mar 31, Paraguay 1-1 South Africa
May 15, Paraguay 1-0 North Korea
May 25, Rep of Ireland 2-1 Paraguay
May 30, Paraguay 2-2 Ivory Coast
Jun 02, Paraguay 2-0 Greece

Fixtures:

14-Jun: Italy vs Paraguay 7:30pm (GMT) - Match Report
20-Jun: Slovakia vs. Paraguay 12:30pm (GMT) - Match Report
24-Jun: Paraguay vs. New Zealand 3:00pm (GMT) - Match Report

Team Trivia

Paraguayan coach Cayetano Re was sent off during a match against Belgium in 1986 because he was standing too close to the field, in the process, becoming the first coach ever to be sent off in a World Cup match.

Also Read:

Group Competitior Previews: Italy, New Zealand, Slovakia

Group F Preview

File Photograph Copyright: STF Photo Agency

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