Paraguay v Japan: match preview

Round of 16

Paraguay v Japan
Loftus Versfield Stadium, Pretoria
Kick-off: Tue June 29, 3pm BST
TV: ITV1

Gerardo Martino, the Paraguay coach, could replace the suspended holding midfielder Victor Caceres with the versatile Carlos Bonet. Antolin Alcaraz, who missed the goalless draw with New Zealand with a minor injury, returned to training at the weekend and could feature at some stage.

Japan coach Takeshi Okada fielded the same starting line-up for his side's three group matches and with no injuries or suspensions he has no reason to make any changes.

Touchline duel

Gerardo Martino v Takeshi Okada

Two very different cultures clash in Pretoria and two very different coaches will attempt to out-wit each other with the prize a place in the quarter-finals for the first time for both nations.

Martino, an Argentine, learned his trade under Marcelo Bielsa while Okada is in his second spell as coach having lost all three games at the 1998 World Cup.

Talking tactics

Both teams are likely to operate with just one man in attack as they both bid for a piece of sporting history.



Paraguay won a group that included World Champions Italy while Japan lost just 1-0 to Holland before overwhelming Denmark.

Key clash

Roque Santa Cruz v Eiji Kawashima

Santa Cruz could be key to Paraguay’s success. The Manchester City forward had an indifferent season in the premier League but he is timing his return to form well.

England experienced the qualities of Kawashima in the pre-World Cup friendly in Graz when the Kawasaki Frontale stopper made a series of good saves before blocking a penalty from Frank Lampard.

What they ae saying

Gerardo Martino: "Fundamentally they are a team who get back into their defensive positions very well, using a back-line of four and practically five midfielders, with Honda generally up front.”

Takeshi Okada: “Of course, I think we have to play with extra pride as we are now the only Asian representatives. My desire to beat Paraguay is even more resolute."

Teams (probable)

Paraguay (4-3-2-1): Villar; Caniza, J Caceres, Da Silva, Rodriguez; Riveros, V Caceres, Vera; Santa Cruz, Valdez; Cardozo.
Japan (4-1-4-1): Kawashima; Nagatomo, Nakazawa, Tanaka, Komano; Abe; Hasebe, Matsui, Endo, Okubo; Honda.
Referee: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium).

Previous meetings

Played 6: Paraguay 2, Draws 3, Japan 1 win

1995: (Tokyo, Friendly): Japan 1 Paraguay 2
1998: (Tokyo, Friendly): Japan 1 Paraguay 1
1999: (Asuncion, Continental Final): Paraguay 4 Japan 0
2001: (Sapporo, Friendly): Japan 2 Paraguay 0
2003: (Saitama, Friendly): Japan 0 Paraguay 0
2008: (Saitama, Friendly): Japan 0 Paraguay 0

Fact: Japan have won just four of 13 games in the World Cup finals.

Prediction: Paraguay have impressed, but so have Japan. Tight; Japan on penalties.