Paraguay prepares to face Uruguay and Ecuador

Manager “Tata” Martino released the 28 man roster he prepared for Paraguay’s two upcoming away games. We play Uruguay on March 28, followed by Ecuador on April 1. Paraguay is leading the South American standings by six points and a victory at either venue could clinch a spot in South Africa.

Surprises
Rodrigo Burgos (Cerro Porteno) has been called. Although the midfielder is not starting in his club, he had an excellent U-20 World Cup qualifier which has earned the 19 year-old a place on the list.

Miguel Samudio, left back from Libertad, was called for the first time. The 22 year-old has been having and excellent season in the Copa Libertadores, where Libertad has won all its games so far. Congratulations Samudio!

Eduardo Ledesma, a 23 year-old playing for Lanus (Argentina). This is the midfielder’s first call. His team was recently eliminated from the Copa Libertadores.

Other players that are making a comeback are Julio Manzur, Pedro Benitez, Sergio Aquino, and Diego Barreto (Edgar’s brother). At last, the talented Marcelo Estigarribia is also coming back.

Injured Players
Roque Santa Cruz will NOT come. Even though he was called, hours later his name was withdrawn due to a knee injury that will not recover in time for the games.
Claudio Morel Rodriguez (Boca Juniors, Argentina) will not be available either. He recently missed his Copa Libertadores match against Guarani.

Uruguay and Ecuador will be very tough. We have brought back points from Montevideo before, but of all our home games, I think Uruguay gave us the worst time. They will be tough to swallow. We have never brought points back from Ecuador, not since the present format for qualifying has been in use.

Any predictions on how Paraguay will do? I settle for two points.

VAMOS ALBIRROJA!

Complete List

Goalkeepers:
Justo Villar (Valladolid, Spain), Aldo Bobadilla (DIM, Colombia) y Diego Barreto (Sol de América).

Defenders:
Darío Verón (Pumas, Mexico), Julio Cáceres (Boca Juniors, Argentina), Julio Manzur (Libertad), Aureliano Torres (San Lorenzo, Argentina), Carlos Bonet (Cruz Azul, Mexico), Pedro Benítez (Tigres, Mexico), Paulo Da Silva (Toluca, Mexico), Denis Caniza (Olimpia), Miguel Samudio (Libertad).

Midfielders:
Enrique Vera (America, Mexico), Edgar Barreto (Reggina, Italy), Osvaldo Martínez (Monterrey, Mexico), Cristian Riveros (Cruz Azul, Mexico), Jonathan Santana (San Lorenzo, Argentina), Victor Cáceres (Libertad), Sergio Aquino (Libertad), Eduardo Ledesma (Lanus, Argentina), Marcelo Estigarribia (Le Mans, Francia), Rodrigo Burgos (Cerro Porteño).

Strikers:
Roque Santa Cruz (Blackburn Rovers, England)-WITHDRAWN, Nelson Haedo (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Salvador Cabañas (América, Mexico), Oscar Cardozo (Benfica, Portugal), Edgar Benítez (Pachuca, Mexico), Jorge Achucharo (Atlas, Mexico).