FIFA World Cup Quarter-final Preview: Spain vs Paraguay

Write-up by Suresh Iyer

Spain and Paraguay meet in the last of the four quarter finals of the Entire world Cup in Johannesburg, on Saturday.

Spain, joint-favourites with Brazil, for the title, began disastrously, dropping their 1st match in group H, to Switzerland. the reduction acted as a wake up call, and Spain arrived back again into the tournament with a vengeance, winning 3 matches on the trot. Spain have gone from power to strength, and appear shut to attaining the championship type they displayed at Euro 2008.

Paraguay’s kind curve has been heading downward, with each and every successive match, the final one versus Japan resulting in a goalless draw. Paraguay certified for the quarter-ultimate by prevailing 5-three in a penalty shoot out.

Spain won three-1 against Paraguay in the 2002 Planet Cup. The two other matches among the teams met at World Cup finals ended in draws.

In their round of sixteen match against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, Spain showed why they are so hugely rated. Their win by a solitary goal is scant reflection of their masterclass in the sport, the very low margin is only an indication of the brilliant career performed by Portugal’s keeper Eduardo, on the day.

David Villa has indubitably been the player of the tournament, main up to the quarter-finals. He is in joint area as top rated scorer in the tournament. Fernando Torres is also on way to his greatest kind, with an improved showing in opposition to portugal, soon after a fairly indifferent overall performance in the group matches. He was the spearhead of the attack, and the Portugal central defenders were fully occupied making an attempt to preserve Torres peaceful, therefore giving Andres Iniesta and Villa opportunities.

Fernando Llorente arrived in for Torres late in the sport, and virtually scored. Coach Bosque is nevertheless likely to go with Torres in Saturday’s quarter ultimate. Iniesta and Hernandes were quite successful in the midfield versus Portugal. Xabi acted as tranquil playmaker to Sergio Busquet’s aggression. Spain did not rely on Cesc Fabregas and David Silva in the celebration. Sergio Ramos and Joan Capdevilla had been pacy in the wings, although Gerard Pique and Carlos Puyol lent solidity to the back-line, the lone weak website link becoming captain Iker Casillas, who had the Jambulani blues, on the day.

Whilst Spain will go for all out aggression, Paraguay are likely to try out and soak up stress in defence as they did against Italy, in their very first group sport.

Spain ought to be wary, so as not to drop concentration and suffer a setback as in the Switzerland game.

Paraguay started with a strong defensive game towards Italy. They followed this up with a stroll in the park towards Slovakia. their ultimate drawn group sport against New Zealand saw their efficiency decline. Their inability to score in open play obtained underscored in the Japan match in the round of 16.

Roque Santa Cruz has very own inadequate finishing whilst Enrique Vera has toiled in vain to generate opportunities. Antonio Alcaraz and Paulo Da Silva have been strong in defence, but are probable to be examined versus the Spanish armada. Lucas Barrios, Paraguay’s attacking spearhead has been between the number of remarkable performers. Paraguay’s only hope lies in difficult tackles, and in maintaining Xavi and Iniesta at bay. They will hope to suffocate the Spainiards, and score on the counter.

David Villa’s deft first touch and ready potential to shoot have exemplified Spain’s good results story, so far. in devastating type.

For Paraguay, Lucas Barrios has been the guy in form, whether or not in dribbling or in imaginative pondering.

Del Bosque is unlikely to tinker with the beginning eleven for Spain regardless of the temptation of changing Torres with Llorente.

Paraguay will also stick to the tried and examined Santa Cruz and Barrios as strikers, Vera and Riveros calling the shots in midfield, and Ortigoza supplying porotection to the again four, Alcaraz, Da Silva, Morel and Bonet.

This match can only go a single way, provided Spain retain their composure.

About the Writer

For the most current sports gossip and information you will not come across anyplace else on the World wide web, and to obtain a No cost E-book on the 2010 FIFA Planet Cup, click http://www.cricinfosite.com

Suresh Iyer is an avid sports fan and blogger.