Paraguay in Spain, ready to kick off friendly game

March 3rd, 2010 | by: Victor | View Comments

Paraguay vs. Athletic Bilbao
March 3, 13:15ET

“Tata” Martino has expressed enthusiasm over the Albirroja’s upcoming friendly game against Athletic Bilbao. This will be the 1st of four friendly games leading up to the World Cup final in June. Future friendly games include Ireland (May 25), Ivory Coast (May 28), and Greece (June 2) before our showdown with Italy on June 14th.

Martino’s list follows.

Goalkeepers: Justo Villar (Valladolid), Diego Barreto (Cerro Porteño)

Defenders: Denis Caniza (Leon), Paulo Da Silva (Sunderland), Darío Verón (Pumas), Antolín Alcaraz (Brugge), Claudio Morel (Boca Jrs.), Miguel Samudio (Libertad)

Midfielders: Cristian Riveros (Cruz Azul), Jonathan Santana (Wolfsburg) Víctor Cáceres (Libertad) Rodrigo Rojas (River Plate) Néstor Ortigoza (Argentinos Jrs.) Sergio Aquino (Libertad)

Strikers: Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City), Nelson Haedo (Borusia Dortmund), Oscar Cardozo (Benfica), Rodolfo Gamarra (Libertad), Javier González (Libertad).

With so many new players above, I suspect the final list for the World Cup will be very different. This is a half strength selection at best.