Beyond the Pitch: Larissa Riquelme

Italy will begin to defend its world title on Monday when they face Paraguay in their opening Group F match. The Azzurri will look to make a strong statement in their debut as many in the football world are doubting their posibilities of retaining their crown. Marcello Lippi has set up a strong defense with goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and centerback Fabio Cannavaro anchoring Italy's back line. However, much skepticism surrounds the Azzurri camp as poor results and a lack of scoring in their last three exhibition matches have caused much concern among the Italian fans and media.

Paraguay, meanwhile, has strong aspirations of qualifying out of the group stage as New Zealand and Slovakia do not seem to be of major concern as of yet. Paraguay, with Argentine coach Gerardo Martino at the helm, could be a dark horse in the group stage. Although they lost Salvador Cabanas because of a gun shot wound to the the head earlier in the year, Lucas Barrios has stepped up to the plate.

The Borussia Dortmund striker, who was born in Argentina and was naturalized Paraguayan just weeks ago, was the third leading goal scorer in Germany's Bundesliga this season. Barrios was also the leading scorer in the world in the 2008-2009 season playing for Chile giant Colo Colo according to the IFFHS. Roque Santa Cruz should also get plenty of looks on offense as his EPL experience should give him an advantage playing in or around the opponent's goal area.

The match will take place at the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town and is scheduled for a 2:30pm ET kickoff. Both sides met just once in World Cup play, with Italy grabbing the win in 1950.

Probable starting lineups:

Italy: Buffon, Zambrotta, Chiellini, Cananvaro, Criscito; Gattuso, Di Natale, Montolivo, Rossi, Quagliarella; Gilardino

Paraguay: Villar, Bonet, Veron, Da Silva, Morel; Vera, Santana, Riveros, Torres; Valdez, Barrios

ITALY-PARAGUAY PREVIEW

The excitement is building as we get a week away and the anticipation of the 1st African World Cup is building, its going to be great. We continue on to Group F with the South American nation of Paraguay.

OFFICIAL NAME: Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol



NICKNAME:La Albirroja

FIFA CONFEDERATION: CONMEBOL (South America)

FIFA CODE: PAR

HOW THEY QUALIFIED: 3rd place in CONMEBOL WC Qualifying Standings

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES (INCLUDING 2010): 8

BEST WC FINISH: Round of 16, Mexico 1986, France 1988 & Korea/Japan 2002

WORLD CUP RECORD (MP: Wins - Draws - Losses): 22: 6W - 7D - 9L

HEAD COACH: Gerardo Martino

MOST CAPPED PLAYER (# of caps): Carlos Gamarra (110)

ALL-TIME GOAL SCORING LEADER (# of goals): José Saturnino Cardozo (25)

BRIEF FOOTBALLING HISTORY:
In South America, Paraguay is regarded as the most physical and arguably the toughest minded side in the region. La Albirroja participated in the 1st World Cup in 1930. Paraguay has won 2 Copa America titles but Paraguay have yet to establish themselves outside of South America as a major footballing power.

PLAYER TO WATCH:
Paraguay's player to watch is part of the Argentine-born contingent that will help La Albirroja in South Africa, he is Néstor Ortigoza.
(Photo at Ultimahora.com)
Ortigoza plays for current Argentine champions, Argentinos Juniors and was an important midfield player in their surprise 2010 Clausura title. Ortigoza's father is Paraguayan and joins Jonathan Santana and Lucas Barrios as Argentine-born but naturalized Paraguayans. Ortigoza has to blend into a veteran midfield that worked well in qualifying.

OUTLOOK:
Paraguay has the talent and the organization to win the group, the goal for La Albirroja will be what happens during the knockout stages. The way Paraguay qualified in South America has many observers believing that this could be the year that Paraguay finally makes it past the Round of 16.

FINAL 23-MAN WC ROSTER:
Goalkeepers: Justo Villar (Real Valladolid, Spain), Aldo Bobadilla (Independiente Medellin, Colombia), Diego Barreto (Cerro Porteno);

Defenders: Denis Caniza (Leon, Mexico), Dario Veron (Pumas, Mexico), Julio Caceres (Atletico Mineiro, Brazil), Paulo Da Silva (Sunderland, England), Claudio Morel Rodriguez (Boca Juniors, Argentina), Antolin Alcaraz (Wigan, Eng), Carlos Bonet (Olimpia), Aureliano Torres (San Lorenzo, Argentina);

Midfielders: Cristian Riveros (Sunderland, England), Enrique Vera (LDU Quito, Ecuador), Edgar Barreto (Atalanta, Italy), Jonathan Santana (Wolfsburg, Germany), Victor Caceres (Libertad), Nestor Ortigoza (Argentinos Juniors, Argentina);

Attackers: Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City, England), Nelson Haedo Valdez (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Oscar Cardozo (Benfica, Portugal), Edgar Benitez (Pachuca, Mexico), Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Rodolfo Gamarra (Libertad).

WC GROUP SCHEDULE:
June 14 vs. Italy
June 20 vs. Slovakia
June 24 vs. New Zealand

Group F Breakdowns finish up with Slovakia

Paraguay - WC Team Breakdown

Argentine-born striker Lucas Barrios was included in the world cup list divulged by head coach Gerardo Martino. Barrio, 28, was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina on November 13, 1984. The panther, as he was nicknamed due to his effectiveness obtained his Paraguayan citizenship on April 8th, it’s important to mention his mother is from Paraguay.

Barrios will be the fourth Argentine to join the “blanquiroja “ along with Sergio Aquino, Nestor Ortigoza and Jonathan Santana.

Barrio began his career in Argentinos Juniors, but was soon loaned to second division side Tigre. In 2005 he joined Temuco (Chile), one year later returning to Argentina to play for Tiro Federal (2nd division). Barrios really became known when he joined Cobreloa in 2006; notching 14 goals in the aperture 2007.

After his very successful season with Cobreloa he raised interest from Chilean giant Colo-Colo and Mexican club Necaxa. After rough negotiations Barrios was transferred to Atlas for u$2.5 Million, he appeared in 14 league matches and scored one goal. This led Atlas to loan the striker to Colo-Colo where he found his best form.

In 2008 Barrios was loaned to Colo-Colo on a six months basis, his buyout price was set for U$2 Million. He scored 19 goals in the aperture and was a crucial
reinforcement for the Copa Libertadores.

In June 2008 Colo-Colo offered u$ 1.5 Million to Atlas but it was rejected, eventually an agreement was reached and “Los Caciques” paid u$ 2 Million for the 80% of the pass.

In the 2008 Clausura he scored 18 goals in 16 matches, finishing top scorer in both legs of the tournament, this had been accomplished last by Patricio Galaz in 2004.

In January 2009 Espanyol offered u$7 million for Barrios, but it was rejected by Colo-Colo due to problems in the structure. That same year Barrios himself snubbed Greek side Pananthiakos despite the 5 Million Euros contract that was offered.

Finally in July 2009 he joined German side Borussia Dortmund; the transaction was agreed on 4.2 Million Euros. As of April 24th, 2010 Barrios has appeared in 31 matches for Dortmund and scored 18 goals.

Career total (Colo-Colo ,Borussia Dortmund): 84 appearances, 67 goals

Lucas Barrios included in Paraguay World Cup list

Paraguay officially began their World Cup preparations as Gerardo Martino gave out his preliminary list of players and as expected Lucas Barrios was on the list.  The former Colo Colo man is happy to have been called up weeks after he did his paperwork for Paraguayan citizenship. 

He will fill in for America star Salvador Cabañas who was shot in a club in Mexico City back in January. 

The Argentine-born Barrios is yet another nationalized player to join the Albirroja much to the controversy in Paraguay. He is the third nationalized player alongside Jonathan Santana and Néstor Ortigoza who plays for Lanús. Barrios will form part of a formidable group of forwards led by Borussia Dortmund teammate Nelson Haedo Valdez, Manchester City's Roque Santa Cruz, and Benfica's Oscar Cardozo.

Overall the majority of the team comes from Germany, Argentina, and Mexico.   Martino did count with four domestic players that came from the two top teams in the Paraguayan league- Cerro Porteño and Libertad. 

The biggest shock was the inclusion of 36-year-old Denis Caniza to the list. Caniza could make it to his fourth consecutive World Cup. The former Cruz Azul, Olimpia, and Nacional man is currently also playing in the Mexican Primera A with León.

Coach Gerardo Martino will give out the final 23-man roster on June 1st. Paraguay will participate in Group F alongside Italy, Slovakia, and New Zealand.

Goalkeepers: Justo Villar (Valladolid-ESP), Aldo Bobadilla (Deportivo Independiente Medellín-COL), Diego Barreto (Cerro Porteño)

Defenders: Denis Caniza (León- MEX), Darío Verón (Pumas-MEX), Julio Cáceres, Antolín Alcaraz (Brugge-BEL), Paulo Da Silva (Sunderland-ENG), Claudio Morel Rodríguez (Boca Juniors-ARG), Carlos Bonet (Olimpia), Aureliano Torres (San Lorenzo-ARG), Julio Manzur (Racing Club-ARG), Marcos Caceres (Cerro Porteño).

Midfielders: Enrique Vera (LDUQ-ECU), Cristian Riveros (Cruz Azul-MEX), Edgar Barreto (Atalanta-ITA), Jonathan Santana (Wolfsburg- GER), Néstor Ortigoza (Argentinos Juniors-ARG), Víctor Cáceres (Libertad), Eduardo Ledesma (Lanús-ARG), Marcelo Estigarribia (Newell's Old Boys- ARG), Sergio Aquino (Libertad).

Forwards: Osvaldo Martínez (Monterrey- MEX), Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City-ENG), Nelson Haedo Valdez(Borussia Dortmund- GER), Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dortmund- GER), Oscar Cardozo (Benfica-POR), Edgar Benítez (Pachuca- MEX), Jorge Achucarro (Newell's Old Boys- ARG), Rodolfo Gamarra (Libertad).

Related Articles

• FIFA.com: Santa Cruz: We will be hard to beat
  
• USA Today: Slovak defender Skrtel recovers from broken foot
  
• Yahoo UK: Barrios included in 30-man roster
  

Martino divulges Paraguay list

Italy coach Marcello Lippi named his 29-man roster prior to the World Cup.

He did exclude players from both Inter and AS Roma as they will be playing in the final of the Coppa Italia. These two sides are also battling for the Scudetto as well. Inter meantime are looking to become the first Italian side to win the treble. So players like Daniele De Rossi and Luca Toni. This also gives Inter's mercurial striker Mario Balotelli a chance to still be part of the squad.

Lippi will have to decide which six players he will have to leave out prior to his trip to South Africa. Based on the initial list, the big shock could be the exclusion of Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi.  The native of Tea Neck, New Jersey was a constant call for the Azzurri during World Cup qualifying and was the team's leading scorer in last year's Confederations Cup.  But his current campaign with the Yellow Submarine

Another player that will not get the callup from Lippi will be Juventus striker Amauri. The Brazilian-born poacher was being speculated to go with the Italians after well over two seasons of speculation over which colors he would be defending come South Africa. In the end he will be left out by both Italy and Brazil.

Other that were left out of the mix were Palermo's Fabrizio Miccoli as well as Sampdoria's Antonio Cassano.

Italy begin the defense of their title on as they face Paraguay on June 14th. They will then play Slovakia and finish off group play against Oceania champs New Zealand.


Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Federico Marchetti (Cagliari), Salvatore Sirigu (Palermo)

Defenders: Salvatore Bocchetti and Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Leonardo Bonucci (Bari), Fabio Cannavaro, Giorgio Chiellini, Fabio Grosso and Nicola Legrottaglie (all Juventus), Mattia Cassani (Palermo), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Gianluca Zambrotta (Milan)

Midfielders: Mauro German Camoranesi, Antonio Candreva and Claudio Marchisio (all Juventus), Andrea Cossu (Cagliari), Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Simone Pepe (Udinese)

Forwards: Marco Borriello (AC Milan), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria), Fabio Quagliarella (Napoli)

Lippi announces Italy pre-World Cup roster

These were some factoids that I came across that show how tight CONMEBOL is and certain tendencies that are becoming present in this qualifier.


Uruguay vs. Brazil

- Brazil is team with least losses (1) and most draws (6)
- Brazil have not won at the Estadio Centenario since 1976.
- Uruguay is the highest scoring team with 21
- Brazil is the best defense on the road (4)


Argentina vs. Colombia
- Argentina have not lost at home in 32 matches. Last loss vs. Colombia in 1993.
- Colombia are the only CONMEBOL team to beat Argentina in Buenos Aires.
- Colombia have not scored a goal in Argentina since 1997. Carlos Valderrama.
- Colombia are winless in their last six away games.
- Colombia have not scored a goal on the road in 443 minutes.
- Colombia's last road win (November 2005 vs. Paraguay)
- Argentina lead series 3-1-1



- Paraguay has most wins (7) overall.

- Chile (2) and Venezuela (1) have least draws

- Chile (14) and Argentina (13) are the two teams presently qualified with the most goals scored on


- Colombia and Peru have only scored on goal on the road in six matches


- Chile is the highest scoring road team (10)


- Venezuela (8th) has conceded less goals on the road (9), than ARG who is currently in 4th (10)

- Uruguay (5th) have won the same amount of matches as Venezuela (8th)- 4

- Paraguay have won all home matches in qualifiers and have conceded only one goal

Tidbits, Tendencies of CONMEBOL Quallies

People might say that José Luis Chilavert is a loudmouth. But one thing he is is consistent. When he sees something wrong he will not hold back, ok sometimes he has gone overboard doing it.

On Monday he accused CONMEBOL head of referees Carlos Alarcón of being Eduardo DeLuca's ¨puppet¨. He mentioned that CONMEBOL favored the Argentine and Brazilian sides based on referees and their particular assignments. For example, he mentioned the fact that teams like Boca Juniors usually get one of three refs assigned to their matches during Copa Libertadores play.

¨The Argentine and Brazilian sides are being favored by the referees in international competition and (CONMEBOL) washes their hands,¨said the former Vélez Sarsfield star.

He mentioned that this comes down to everyone pandering to AFA president and FIFA vice president Julio Grondona. ¨Deluca answers directly to Grondona,¨says Chilavert.

Chilavert reinforced the comments of Libertad president Horacio Cartes regarding his club´s elimination at the hands of Estudiantes due to some shady refereeing in the away leg of the Copa Lib.

This all comes on the heels of the former Paraguayan captain having an altercation with Uruguayan embassador in Paraguay Juan Enrique Fisher at the Silvio Pettirossi International Airport in Asunción.

Chilavert: ¨Argentine and Brazilian Teams Favored¨

It was well over a decade the last time the Martín Palermo donned the Albiceleste. His infamous Copa América performance against Colombia in 1999.



Since that fateful day in Asunción, Palermo's career underwent a rollercoaster ride of unprecedented measures. From the highs of his great game against Real Madrid to the day that he had a stand fall on top of his leg when he played for Villarreal. His return to Boca has seen him win titles left and right. Three domestic titles, two Copa Sudamericanas, two Recopas, and a Copa Libertadores are part of his resume ever since he returned to Argentina back in 2005. His story is one written for the movies- sequels and all. He was a day away from being called up to the national team once again last year, but suffered an ACL tear.


He was also left at the doorstep of Boca immortality when he was tied with Francisco Varallo as the club's all-time leading scorer. But he did what he had done before- come back and score. So it was just a matter of time that he would come back to the national team. Diego Maradona did that on Thursday when he announced his next call up for international duty, even though it is just for a friendly against Paraguay in the city of Colón in Argentina at the end of the month.

Palermo was one of four Boca Juniors players called up by Maradona (Forlín, Muñoz, and Battaglia are the others). Surprisingly there were no players from River Plate called up. This would be the billboard material that Los Millonarios might need in order to get that little extra incentive come time they step onto the pitch at La Bombonera this weekend.

Argentina Callup (by team)

Boca Juniors: Martín Parlermo, Juan Forlín, Sebastián Battaglia, Ezequiel Muñóz

Lanús: Sebastián Blanco, José Sand, Eduardo Salvio

Estudiantes: Mariano Andújar, Marcos Angeleri, Juan Sebastián Verón

Vélez Sarsfield Nicolás Otamendi, Emiliano Papa, Maximiliano Moralez

Independiente: Rolfi Montenegro

Rosario Central: Milton Caraglio

Colón: Alexis Ferrero, Diego Pozo

Arsenal: Cristian Campestrini

Racing: Franco Zuculini

Argentinos Juniors: Ignacio Canuto, Matías Caruzzo

San Lorenzo: Gonzalo Bergessio

Newell's Old Boys: Hernán Bernardello. Mauro Formica

Huracán: Matías De Federico

Palermo Returns To The National Team

International Factoids: Paraguay

The Paraguayan national team is currenty atop the standings in CONMEBOL qualifying play. The Guaranís have established themselves as a power in South America with successes both at the international and club levels. When you think of Paraguay, players like Roberto Cabañas, Carlos Gamarra, José Amado Nunes, Julio César Romero, Roque Santa Cruz, and who could forget José Luis Chilavert. Also there were players like former Barcelona and Espanyol star Cayetano Ré who won the Pichichi back in the 1964-65 season. There are also players like Denis Caniza, Claudio Morel Rodríguez, Julio César Cáceres, Nelson Haedo Valdez, and Salvador Cabañas leading the way for the national side.

This new generation of players led by Gerardo Martino is enjoying the benefits of having won the silver medal in the 2004 Olympics in Athens. They have been also able to bounce back from an underachieving performance in the 2006 World Cup as well as a disappointing end to the 2007 Copa América at the hands of Paraguay.

Currently, the Albirroja are only two points away from securing their ticket to the World Cup for the fourth consecutive time; the fifth time in seven tournaments. Although brief, Paraguay made their debut in the World back in 1930, but were manhandled by eventual semifinalist- the USA- 3-0 at the Estadio Parque Central in Montevideo. Since then, there have been several highs and lows. The highest moment in Parauguayan football was when they played eventual World Cup champ France to until Laurent Blanc scored in the 113th minute. Four years later that would happen to them against as Oliver Neuville wold score in the dying minutes of the game to leave them out in the knockout stages yet once again. Now they are ready to make some new memories.

Below are some factoids. This will consistently grow and/or change in time.

All-Time Caps Leaders

Facts courtesy of Wikipedia and the APF

Player	Years	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)
Roberto Fernández	1976-1989	78 (0)
Juan Bautista Torales	1979-1989	77 (1)
Denis Caniza	1996-present	77 (1)
José Luis Chilavert	1989-2003	74 (8)
Estanislao Struway	1991-2002	74 (4)
Carlos Humberto Paredes	1998-present	71 (10)
Julio César Enciso	1995-2004	70 (2)

All-Time Goalscorers

Player	Years	Goals (Caps)
José Saturnino Cardozo	1991-2006	25 (82)
Roque Santa Cruz	1999-present	20 (60)
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 Ángel Benítez	1996-1999	11 (30)
Gerardo Claus Decker	1983-1988	11 o/g (29)
Juan Bautista Villalba	1945-1947	10 (22)
Aurelio González	1924-1937	10 (23)
Carlos Humberto Paredes	1998-present	10 (71)
José Luis Chilavert	1989-2003	8 (74)

International Factoids: Paraguay

Paraguayan National Team

Paraguayan National Team

Congratulations to Sergio Chade of Miami, FL. He won the Paraguayan national team jersey.

The answer was José Saturnino Cardozo. He scored 25 goals in 82 caps.

Log on to MAF for future giveaways.

Congrats To Jersey Winner...

The Top 5 Things Learned From The Previous Round of WC Qualifying:

GHANA ON THE BRINK

The Black Stars could be out of qualifying. In Group 5 of Round 2 WC African Qualifying, Ghana sits in 3rd place behind 1st place Libya and 2nd place Gabon only trailing Gabon on goal differential. Their talisman Michael Essien is out for that last crucial match vs. Lesotho and they will have to produce at least a 3 goal victory margin in that game to have a shot of advancing to the next stage. Let’s hope they go through cause they are arguably the most talented team in Africa and fun to watch.

DOMENECH HAS TO GO

Why does this man still have employment? What has he done to earn his continued place as national team coach of France? Let’s see. France looked horrible in Euro 2008, they have been erratic at best in matches following the Zidane embarrassment of the ’06 WC Final. He’s consistently left off the team arguably the best French striker right now in David Trezeguet deciding on Nicolas Anelka instead and they just got whipped 3-1 by AUSTRIA. With all the talent France has they should not be losing to AUSTRIA. Les Bleus need to bring back Aime Jacquet.

PARAGUAY IS THE BEST TEAM IN SOUTH AMERICA, RIGHT NOW

La Albirroja has been the most consistent team in FIFA’s toughest qualifying region. Paraguay has 5 players that have scored at least 2 goals meaning that there isn’t one person to key on. That makes them more dangerous offensively than supposedly more dangerous offensive sides like Brazil and Argentina. By the way, results vs. South America’s 2 Giants: 1-1 draw vs. Argentina in Buenos Aires and a 2-0 win vs. Brazil in Asuncion. Impressive, if Paraguay’s key players can avoid injury over the next months, Paraguay will not only make it to The Great Tournament but will be a serious contender for the title.

NO CARIBBEAN RIDDIMS IN SOUTH AFRICA

This one hurts the most because of my roots in the Caribbean and my desire to see a Caribbean nation progress deep into the World Cup. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look good for the Caribbean nations in CONCACAF. The Caribbean Champions, Haiti have 1 point after 3 matches and a –7 goal differential and tragically a lot more on their minds than football. Jamaica just fired its coach after only 1 point and a –6 goal differential. Cuba has 0 points. Trinidad & Tobago are the last hope. The Soca Warriors have 4 points and are tied with Guatemala for 2nd in Group 1. I think us Caribbean folk will have to wait till Brazil 2014. At least we got Usain Bolt.

SEPP BLATTER IS THE SHIZZLE!!!!

FIFA President, Sepp Blatter announced that all workers would get two free tickets to a WC match at the stadium they are working on. That is FREAKING SWEEET!!! (To quote Peter Griffin). If I didn’t have a job, I would find my way to South Africa and get me a job at Ellis Park or any of those stadiums. I can install the toilets for all I care. I will deal with sewage pipes for some free WC tickets.

Mad About Fútbol Top 5: #1