How do you play against England?

April 24th, 2006 | by: Daniel |

Talking with some friends, we were discussing how Paraguay should play their match against the English team. Because my friend is Argentinean, and in the past they had suffered through the plays against the Spice Boy’s team, he suggested that the eleven Paraguayan players hang together in the goal. At first I though that this was only a degrading opinion from my chanta friend, but later, after I putted a lot of thinking and considering the source of the opinion, an almost ill football fanatic (like most of us) that had suffered a defeat from the same team (practically same players) in the last World Cup, I must admit that there is some true in his words.

Ok, we know that England have too many good players in the forward line, that are very fast and could make several damages to any team. But are they that good? This answer right now I will leave to other fans, because with the Albirroja in my chest I could not make an objective answer. But still I have some questions about this topic, if they are that great, why they didn’t go further than quarters in the last World Cup or in the Euro Cup? Could these highly paid players don’t feel the national team shirt in their chest as the players of other teams (I.E. Brazil, Argentina, France, etc.)? Does David Beckham will use make up in this World Cup? …jejeje the last one is a joke.

I believe that it will be a suicide play at the same speed as the English team; Paraguay should try to gain control of the rhythm of the game, hiding the ball and playing very strong in the middle field. Of course in this game we will see some strong enters from the players, and probably some player could end expel. I think that if we don’t loose the mark in the middle field, considering that our defense is very good, we had good chances of making a good presentation, but don’t expect any barrilete cosmico, there always going to be only one.

The big mystery, I think, will be our forwards, primarily because we still don’t know how Roque is going to arrive physically to that match. With Roque Santa Cruz and Nelson Haedo we will have a fast and very strong front line, and considering that the English defense is not the best, I think they will have some clearly chances of scoring, we hope that they will be accurate. Because Paraguay probably will start with a defensive tactic, the problem that we will face is how we will give the ball to our forwards; I hope that Maño puts some creative player in the middle field.

Finally, a defeat in this first match is something that Paraguay could calculate before the World Cup starts, so I think that the pressure will be on England, so our players can play more freely, even this concept of underdog can help us if England underestimates our team. And I still maintain my thesis that in all the World Cups, one of the head of the groups were defeated by an underdog, why this can be our case?

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http://ecuador.worldcupblog.org/ Trent

Nice post, Daniel. I think you’re right that Paraguay need to try and force their own tempo on the match. The only problem will be if England score first early, which may force Paraguay into the uncomfortable position of having to try and match speed with the England team.
Daniel

I heard to a lot of coaches (DTs) said that in this kind of games, it is very important to hold and don’t received any goal in the first 20 minutes, so then on you start playing with the anxiety of the rival.

I believe that we already had played with two of the greatest teams in this World Cup (Argentina and Brazil), so we are used to to this kind of games.
http://www.worldcupblog.org/the-blog-goes-on/the-blog-goes-on-0425.html The Blog Goes On 04.25 – FIFA World Cup 2006 – World Cup 2006 Blog

[...] A top secret strategy for beating England (Paraguay Blog) [...]
Soze

You wanna beat England??..Get a foul in your own box in the first 3 minutes. Hope Beckham takes the spot kick and when he misses, watch the whole team demoralize and fall apart. Game won.
http://paraguay.worldcupblog.org Daniel

that’s a good one…
http://www.worldcup2006news.net Knut Karnapp

Yeah Euro 2004 first game against France what Zidane-Game : )

BUT do not underestimate England, it´s not all about Beckham only.
Daniel

That’s true.. They had a lot of good players. Lets see if Owen will recover in time for the match…
argiebargie

Its all about defence. Its mentality thing really. If you can close the doors for owen, rooney and the midfield then its possible to win. Its when you concede that first goal then everything falls apart. A defensive midfielder is must.
Jason James

Daniel, We ENGLISH are the most passionate in the world about football. We are renowned for our never say die attitude. We WILL beat Paraguay easily just like in 1986. When you enter the KO phase of any cup competition you need an element of luck to progress which we haven’t had in recent tournaments. This year however we have about 15 exceptional players in our squad (PRAY FOR ROONEY) and we will make att least the semi’s. RULE BRITANNIA, BRTANNIA RULES THE WAVES, BRITAIN NEVER EVER SHALL BE SLAVES!!!
http://paraguay.worldcupblog.org Daniel

I agree than the english fans are one of the more passionate, but not nearly the most, come to south america some day and you will know what I am talking about.

England has a great team, lets see which players will recover from injuries, but from the middle field to the back, I am not that sure.

I hope we will see a great game and don’t rest only in history, in the field is where you win the games… Cheers.
http://www.myspace.com/liffen Chris

England have so many good palyers going to this world cup. You will struggle against such a quality sqaud. The defence is by no way weak.. With Terry + Ferdinand + Cole i think our defence is one of the strongest in the world! On to the midfeild – You will do well to hold the ball in the centre of the park Gerrard has hit form and judging from the FA Cup final he is contesting for one of the best English players ever! Lampard – well what can you say he creates chances and scores goals.. Oh an Beckham – long ball wonders! how can you stop his free kicks and accurate swinging balls across the pitch. Forwards – Rooney will not feature agaisnt you guys so count yourself lucky however with Owen back to full fitness and Crouch/Walcott upfront we have the speed and agility to take on the best not just some south american team that think they have quality. Ask Argentina again.. COME ON ENGLAND!!!!!!!!
http://www.clubolimpia.com.py/foro Ekiss

lo unico que se es que le vamos a coger a Uds, ingleses hijos de puta, pueden meterse en el culo a la mujercita de beackan y a harry potter, hasta a Mary Poppins le vamos a dar duro
buitre_69

Che gusta la nde topico Daniel. Now let’s wait and see how the match will end up. Like you said, I think that not just England but the world press is understimating the “garra guarani” and I agree that the concept of underdog will help us at the end.
AliceIC

I hope England does get beaten up… but let’s face it, our chances of winning are slim.
Paraguay never got that far in the World cup and england does have excellent players atm.
So it would be a miracle if we did win, but I hope we do.
Cheers.