World Cup Preview - Group F - Paraguay

Nickname: "La Albirroja (The White and Reds)"

FIFA ranking: 30th

Coach: Argentine Gerardo Martino

Game Schedule:
June 14 – Paraguay vs. Italy (Cape Town, 2:30 p.m. EST, ESPN)
June 17 – Paraguay vs. Slovakia (Bloemfontein, 7:30 a.m., ESPN)
June 22 – Paraguay vs. New Zealand (Polokwane, 10 a.m., ESPN2)

Prospects: Paraguay were the surprise package in the current round of CONMEBOL qualifying, actually leading the table for several rounds before eventually falling to third. They've got exactly the kind of spine and team cohesion that has seen other recent WC dark horses (e.g., Bulgaria, Croatia, Turkey) make the latter stages of the tournament. Finally, Paraguay have found themselves in a reasonably easy group. It's a recipe for success.

Key Player: Valladolid's stellar goalkeeper Justo Villar will have to be at his best to keep his side in it once beyond the group stage.

Youngster to watch: 22 year old Pachuca wide man Édgar Benítez.

Who Will Get the Goals: With the injury problems to lead striker Roque Santa Cruz, Benfica's Oscar Cardoza has picked up the slack.

Who Will Get the Cards: Thick-necked defender Aureliano Torres plays in Argentina and was sent off three times in qualifying. Need I say more?

Prediction: Paraguay have the best chance of upsetting a traditional favorite (Italy) in the group stage when they meet in the first Group F match. Ultimately, the Italians will edge them out for top, leaving them second and meeting up with the Netherlands in the Round of 16. Curtains then.