Report by Suresh Iyer
Spain and Paraguay meet in the last of the 4 quarter finals of the Globe Cup in Johannesburg, on Saturday.
Spain, joint-favourites with Brazil, for the title, started disastrously, dropping their first match in group H, to Switzerland. the reduction acted as a wake up call, and Spain arrived back into the tournament with a vengeance, winning 3 matches on the trot. Spain have gone from strength to power, and appear near to attaining the championship form they displayed at Euro 2008.
Paraguay’s sort curve has been going downward, with every successive match, the last one in opposition to Japan resulting in a goalless draw. Paraguay competent for the quarter-last by prevailing five-3 in a penalty shoot out.
Spain won three-1 in opposition to Paraguay in the 2002 Globe Cup. The two other matches between the teams met at Entire world Cup finals ended in draws.
In their spherical of sixteen match in opposition to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, Spain showed why they are so hugely rated. Their win by a solitary goal is scant reflection of their masterclass in the game, the lower margin is only an indication of the brilliant career completed by Portugal’s keeper Eduardo, on the day.
David Villa has indubitably been the player of the tournament, top up to the quarter-finals. He is in joint place as best scorer in the tournament. Fernando Torres is also on way to his greatest type, with an enhanced exhibiting versus portugal, following a rather indifferent overall performance in the group matches. He was the spearhead of the attack, and the Portugal central defenders were totally occupied trying to preserve Torres peaceful, thus giving Andres Iniesta and Villa possibilities.
Fernando Llorente arrived in for Torres late in the game, and virtually scored. Coach Bosque is nonetheless most likely to go with Torres in Saturday’s quarter final. Iniesta and Hernandes had been extremely efficient in the midfield against Portugal. Xabi acted as tranquil playmaker to Sergio Busquet’s aggression. Spain did not rely on Cesc Fabregas and David Silva in the event. Sergio Ramos and Joan Capdevilla were pacy in the wings, while Gerard Pique and Carlos Puyol lent solidity to the back again-line, the lone weak hyperlink being captain Iker Casillas, who had the Jambulani blues, on the day.
Even though Spain will go for all out aggression, Paraguay are possible to attempt and soak up stress in defence as they did towards Italy, in their initial group sport.
Spain really should be wary, so as not to lose concentration and suffer a setback as in the Switzerland game.
Paraguay started with a strong defensive game towards Italy. They followed this up with a walk in the park against Slovakia. their last drawn group game in opposition to New Zealand noticed their performance decline. Their inability to score in open play got underscored in the Japan match in the spherical of 16.
Roque Santa Cruz has own inadequate finishing although Enrique Vera has toiled in vain to develop opportunities. Antonio Alcaraz and Paulo Da Silva have been solid in defence, but are most likely to be examined against the Spanish armada. Lucas Barrios, Paraguay’s attacking spearhead has been among the few remarkable performers. Paraguay’s only hope lies in tough tackles, and in trying to keep Xavi and Iniesta at bay. They will hope to suffocate the Spainiards, and score on the counter.
David Villa’s deft 1st touch and all set potential to shoot have exemplified Spain’s achievement story, so far. in devastating type.
For Paraguay, Lucas Barrios has been the guy in form, no matter whether in dribbling or in creative pondering.
Del Bosque is unlikely to tinker with the starting eleven for Spain despite the temptation of replacing Torres with Llorente.
Paraguay will also stick to the tried and examined Santa Cruz and Barrios as strikers, Vera and Riveros calling the shots in midfield, and Ortigoza supplying porotection to the back again 4, Alcaraz, Da Silva, Morel and Bonet.
This match can only go a single way, offered Spain retain their composure.
About the Author
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Suresh Iyer is an avid sports activities fan and blogger.