Paraguay and France draw 0-0 in Toulouse

Paraguay’s last preparation game before facing Brazil, was against France in Toulouse yesterday. Paraguay’s football was solid and convincing. Now, we just wait for the beast to come to Asuncion on June 15.

Paraguay Line-up:

Justo Villar
Dario Veron, Paulo da Silva, Pedro Benitez
Denis Caniza, Aureliano Torres,
Sergio Aquino (Marcelo Estigarribia), Edgar Barreto (Carlos H. Paredes), Victor Caceres, Jonathan Santana,
Roque Santa Cruz (“Tacuara” Cardozo), Nelson Haedo (Dante Lopez)

Most of the game was played in the midfield, and France penetrated our defense on very few occasions. Their best goal opportunities came from Ribery, who shot wide, and a shot on the goal post late in the second half. France was not at all overwhelming.

Overall, Paraguay had an excellent performance. We had one good shot on goal from Aureliano Torres in the 1st half. In the 2nd half, a French defender saved a shot from da Silva on the goal line, while the French goalkeeper was looking on.

Torres has come back to the “Albirroja” after a very long time. This is his reward for his excellent performance in his club San Lorenzo de Almagro in Argentina. Another excellent player was Marcelo Estigarribia. The international debut of this juvenile player from Cerro Porteno was a complete success, and he might even have some game time against Brazil.

Julio Cesar Caceres, Enrique Vera, and Salvador Cabanas were the big absences last night. They are all playing the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores and the “Tata” Martino did not request their presence.

Un abrazo,