Countdown to South Africa: Spotlight on Paraguay

Paraguay are in group F at the World Cup and will play Italy, New Zealand and Slovakia. This is the Paraguayan squad which I believe has the best chance of success in South Africa.

First 11

GK. Justo Villar, Club- Real Valladoid, Age at World Cup (AWC) 32.

RB. Paulo da Silva, Club- Sunderland, (AWC) 30.

CB. Pedro Benitez, Club- Atletico Mineriro (Brazil), (AWC) 29.

CB. Antolin Alcaraz, Club- Club Brugge, (AWC) 27.

LB. Delio Toledo, Club- Kayserispor (Turkey), (AWC) 33.

RW. Marcelo Etigarribia, Club- Le Mans, (AWC) 22.

CM. Edgar Barreto, Club- Atlanta, (AWC) 25.

CM. Jonathan Santana, Club- Wolfsburg, (AWC) 28.

LW. Aureliano Torres, Club- San Lorenzo (Argentina), (AWC) 27.

ST. Roque Santa Cruz, Club- Manchester City, (AWC) 28.

ST. Nelson Valdez, Club- Borussia Dortmund, (AWC) 26.

Subs

GK. Aldo Bobadilla, Club- Independiente Medellin (Colombia), (AWC) 34.

GK. Diego Barreto, Club- Cerro Porteno (Paraguay), (AWC) 28.

RWB. Eduardo Ledesma, Club- Club Atletico Lanus (Argentina), (AWC) 24.

CB. Julio Cesar Caceres, Club- Boca Juniors, (AWC) 30.

CB. Dario Veron, Club- Pumas (Mexico), (AWC) 30.

LB. Claudio Morel Rodriguez, Club- Boca Juniors, (AWC) 32.

CDM. Nestor Ortigoza, Club- Argentinos Juniors (Argentina), (AWC) 25.

RM. Osvaldo Martinez, Club- C.F. Monterrey (Mexico), (AWC) 24.

CM. Cristian Riveros, Club- Cruz Azul (Mexico), (AWC) 27.

LW. Sergio Aguino, Club- Club Libertad (Paraguay), (AWC) 30.

ST. Oscar Cardozo, Club- Benfica, (AWC) 27.

ST. Fredy Bareiro, Club- Estudiantes Tecos (Mexico), (AWC) 26.

Agree with my selections?

Have I included someone who doesn't warrant selection?

Have I missed anybody who should be included?

The Coach

Paraguay are coached by Argentinian Gerardo Martino. Paraguay is the first national team Martino has coached, he has previously coached club sides in Paraguay and Argentina. Martino is a hard working coach who studies his opponents in depth and makes sure his Paraguayan players work as a team. However he lacks international experience and can be inflexible. Martino usually adopts a conservative 4-4-2 or 4-3-1-2 for Paraguay.

Paraguay's Strengths

Paraguay's strength is in the front third where they have a choice between three strikers playing in some of the best leagues in Europe. The majority of the remaining starting also are currently playing in Europe.

Paraguay's Weakness

Paraguay's main weakness is their depth, with none of the subs currently playing in Europe.