Soccer: Paraguay full of confidence

Injury-prone Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz trains for tomorrow's match against England. Picture / Reuters

"Going to the World Cup means travelling with dreams and ambitions," says Paraguay's coach, the veteran Uruguay-born Anibal Ruiz.

"Straight away we come up against one of the favourites. We want to measure ourselves against the best. It is tremendous motivation, and I'm very confident we'll do it well."

There is little chance, then, that England's first opponents will be overawed in Frankfurt tomorrow. The optimism of the coach is reflected in the ranks.

Captain Carlos Gamarra tips his side to reach the second round at England's expense.

"I think Sweden are our most difficult opponents. England have some good individuals but I haven't seen them click together when they play for the national team."

With 106 international caps, Gamarra has been part of a team who have made extraordinary progress in recent years.

They had enough talent to get out of the group stages in the past two World Cups, and trouble future finalists in the second round. But now they aim higher as these days they have much more skill to call on.

"Paraguay are different now," says Gamarra. "If we get out of the group, then we'll go into the second round looking to play our football with a bit of joy, trying to win rather than hanging on and hoping."

Anything less than the quarter-finals will be a disappointment.

Such expectations are based on the experience gained in the past two World Cups, the emergence of a talented new generation, and the possession of attacking strength in depth.

Their all-time top scorer, Jose Cardozo, was forced out of the finals after picking up an injury last weekend. But at 35 he was a fading force.

Hopes are pinned on 22-year-old Nelson Haedo Valdez and Roque Santa Cruz, 24, who, had his beanpole frame not proved so injury-prone, would surely be part of the global elite. He has declared himself fit to face England and said it is up to the coach to pick him.

England's firepower has also been giving Ruiz cause for concern. Even before the injury to Wayne Rooney, Paraguay's coach was worried by Peter Crouch. Although Paraguay are traditionally strong in the air, this side suffer from a lack of height.

Keeper Justo Villar is very short for the position, a reflex stopper happiest on his line. Gamarra and his centre-back partner, Julio Cesar Caceres, are both excellent timers of the tackle, but neither is an aerial specialist.

Against the likes of Crouch, Paraguay must not fall into their old habit of dropping back to their own penalty area.

"We want the game to take place further up the field," says Ruiz.

Stopping the cross at source is a priority, so the inexperienced but dynamic Cristian Riveros may well be given an important role on the left side of midfield, where his task will be to close down David Beckham.

The playmaker Julio Dos Santos has usually featured on this flank, but he is likely to be left out as Paraguay seek to stiffen their marking against the stronger England side's midfield.

If Santa Cruz is not risked, Dos Santos could feature in the hole behind a lone striker. This could be especially attractive if England do not play with a holding midfielder.

There will be space in front of the centre backs that could be exploited - if not by Dos Santos then by Nelson Cuevas, or even by one of the strikers in a more withdrawn role.

Paraguay's key man, though, is likely to be Carlos Paredes, who, alongside the experienced Roberto Acuna, will hold the centre of midfield. England's strength in midfield will force Parades to be cautious.

Paredes battle against Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard could decide tomorrow's game.

Cup bets

World Cup bets of the day from Herald soccer writer Terry Maddaford and sports analyst Dave Petraska

Tomorrow: England v Paraguay, zero to one goal
Longshot: Angola to score first against Portugal on Monday

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