Paraguay Football Fans

The former Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz has said that he hopes to play an important part in helping the Spanish club Malaga extend the return that they have experienced in all competitions recently.

Malaga came into the new season with major doubts about the future. They have to sell many star players including the best players from last season – Santi Cazorla – for very low sums of money in order to service the debts. However, they have been able to not only perform well in the Spanish la Liga, but also in other competitions as well.

They were one of the first teams to progress from the group stages of the Champions League into the knockout stages, while they recently entered into the last 16 of the Copa del Rey. Malaga were playing against the third division opponents Cacereno. Roque Santa Cruz was a crucial player in the match after he scored two goals to help the team win 4-2. The Paraguay striker has not been one of the first-team regulars for Malaika this season. However, he is hoping that his double strike against Cacereno will convince the manager to play him more often. He has scored just one goal in the league this season.

“It is important for my confidence to play and pick up rhythm. The goals also bring confidence but we looked at it more as a complete exercise from the team. I would like to score more in the league and I hope to continue the run that started with the cup game,” said Roque Santa Cruz after the 4-2 victory. The former Blackburn Rovers striker came through leaps and bounds since arriving at England. However, he has been devoid of regular first-team football ever since moving to the Premier league club Manchester City for £ 17 million.

The Paraguay national team manager Gerardo Pelusso has said that surprise is the biggest weapon he is set to use when Paraguay face Argentina in a World Cup qualifying match. Argentina will be coming into the match as one of the favourites, whereas Paraguay have recently suffered a number of defeats.

However, the manager of the national team has said that it will not be a surprise for the Argentina manager Sabella to see his tactics if he has studied it already, but if he hasn’t, then it will be a major shock for him.

Paraguay recently sacked their manager after a poor run of form in recent matches. It has seen the national team suffer many defeats and draws in recent matches. As a result, they have taken only four points from the last five matches. This has put them in a precarious situation ahead of their aspirations to play in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The arrival of Gerardo Pelusso will be coinciding with the match against Argentina. Due to the fact that he is the new man at the helm, he is expected to adopt new tactics against Argentina. Gerardo Pelusso has great experience of coaching in the South American leagues.

“None (of our opponents) know who’s going to play (in my team), how we’re going to play or what formation Paraguay will have on the pitch. That will be the surprise factor, (whereas) everyone knows the other teams. Those who know me, have an idea of my style, those who don’t will be in for a surprise,” said the manager ahead of the match with Argentina. Following this match, Paraguay will be playing against the likes of Venezuela and Colombia, which are equally tough matches according to the manager of the Paraguayan football team.