Cardozo still doubtful, Santa Cruz recovers for Paraguay
June 11th, 2010 - 6:12 pm ICT by IANSPietermaritzburg, June 11 (DPA) Oscar Cardozo’s ankle problems continued but Roque Santa Cruz was back at training Friday as Paraguay’s national football team prepared for its World Cup football opener against reigning champions Italy in Cape Town Monday.
Cardozo, who plays for Benfica, did not train Thursday at the team’s headquarters in Pietermaritzburg, near Durban, and Manchester City’s injury-prone Santa Cruz had missed several days of training.
Both strikers are key for Paraguay’s World Cup aspirations after Paraguay lost their first-choice forward Salvador Cabanas. He was shot in the head in January at a bar in Mexico City and the bullet remains lodged in his head.
Midfielder Enrique Vera said Paraguay’s Argentine-born coach Gerardo Martino wanted the team to keep up the pressure in their Group F debut, even though they were facing the defending champions.
“The coach always wants us to put pressure on rivals, as we have done in friendlies and in the qualifiers,” Vera said.
“Paraguay have attained an important style. We cannot change, we want to play a leading role (in the World Cup),” said defender Carlos Bonet.
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- Paraguay reap the fruits of 20 years of solid work (Team Profile) - Nov 28, 2009
- Stuttering champions Italy face tough opener - Jun 13, 2010
- Paraguay, Japan vie for first-ever quarter-final spot - Jun 28, 2010
- Shocked Paraguay will look to recover - May 31, 2010
- Paraguay through to knockout stage as Group F toppers (Lead) - Jun 24, 2010
- Slovakia face Paraguay with Italy on their minds - Jun 19, 2010
- Paraguay outclass Slovakia in Group F (Lead) - Jun 20, 2010
- Slovakia wary of Paraguay's strikers ahead of Bloemfontein clash - Jun 19, 2010
- Paraguay outclass tame Slovakia in Group F (Second Lead) - Jun 20, 2010
- Paraguay top Group F despite goalless draw with New Zealand (Roundup) - Jun 25, 2010
- Paraguay coach confident after World Cup draw - Dec 06, 2009
- Paraguay close to last 16 as New Zealand dream of glory - Jun 23, 2010
- Spanish coach Del Bosque relieved after 'toughest game' - Jul 04, 2010
Tags: ankle problems, aspirations, cape town, carlos bonet, debut, dpa, durban, first choice, friendlies, gerardo, manchester city, mexico city, national football team, oscar cardozo, pietermaritzburg, rivals, roque santa cruz, salvador cabanas, strikers, world cup football