Paraguay prepares to face Colombia and Peru

Paraguay’s coach, Gerardo Martino, has included two novelties in the roster released yesterday evening in Asuncion.

Ariel Bogado (Atlas, Mexico) and Osvaldo Martinez (Libertad, Paraguay) have both become Paraguay internationals for the first time in their careers. Bogado has earned his ticket through his excellent performance in his first season in Mexico. He is a leading scorer in the league with 7 goals in 10 games. Talented Osvaldo Martinez is a familiar face to manager Martino, from his coaching days in Libertad.

Almost half way through competition, Paraguay currently leads the South American World Cup qualifiying group by 4 points.

How do you think we will do the next two rounds?

The 25 player roster includes:

Goalkeepers:
Justo Villar (Valladolid, Spain), Aldo Bobadilla (DIM, Colombia) y Derlis Gómez (Nacional, Paraguay).

Defenders:
Paulo Da Silva (Toluca, Mexico), Julio Manzur (Pachuca, Mexico), Darío Verón (Pumas, Mexico), Claudio Morel (Boca Juniors, Argentina), Denis Caniza (Olimpia, Paraguay), Julio Cáceres (Boca Juniors, Argentina), Aureliano Torres (San Lorenzo, Argentina) y Pedro Benítez (Tigres, México).

Midfielders:
Edgar Barreto (Reggina, Italy; pictured), Edgar González (Olimpia, Paraguay), Cristian Riveros (Cruz Azul, Mexico), Jonathan Santana (Wolfsburgo, Germany), Enrique Vera (América, Mexico), Víctor Cáceres and Osvaldo Martínez (Libertad, Paraguay).

Strikers:
Roque Santa Cruz (Blackburn Rovers, England), Nelson Haedo (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Salvador Cabañas (América, Mexico), Oscar Cardozo (Benfica, Portugal), Dante López (Pumas, Mexico) y Ariel Bogado (Atlas, Mexico).

Colombia vs. Paraguay – October 11, 2008 – 21:20 ET
Paraguay vs. Peru – October 15, 2008 – 17:10 ET

MORE NEWS

Fifa.com has an excellent report on Paraguayan players in Mexico (click here).

The Tim Vickery blog on BBC Sports also has an exquisite piece on the Albirroja (click here).

Catch Roque Santa Cruz in action today against Manchester United at 12:30ET on the Fox Soccer Channel.

Vamos Albirroja!!