Paraguay bowed out of their 2006 World Cup campaign with a hard fought victory over Trinidad and Tobago in Kaiserslautern.
Despite great performances against Sweden and England the third game appeared to be a bridge too far for the plucky debutants who despite giving the crowd much to cheer about were unable to find their first goal in World Cup finals history.
Paraguay who had been unlucky to lose both of their opening matches stuck with a similar side to the one which Sweden managed to beat 1-0 in the dying seconds, Santa Cruz kept his place despite fitness concerns and he was backed up Valdez who had shown in sparks during the England game exactly what he could do if given a chance.
Trinidad who battled hard for seventy minutes against England before caving in gave some of their players the excellent experience that is World Cup football, making changes galore to their side. Only the front pairing of John and Yorke had played every minute of every game and they were ably assisted by Chris Birchall in midfield who once again put in a solid shift.
Paraguay forced a save from Kelvin Jack almost immediately in the game as a free kick swung over by Parades was met in the air by Santa Cruz. Though it looked as if it was going to sneak in at the far post, Jack clawed the ball away with a terrific out stretched hand.
Three minutes later however it was Trinidad’s turn to hold their heads as Cornell Glen forced an excellent and almost identical save from Bobadilla. Despite being thrown into the action after an injury to the goalkeeper in the first game the stopper once more demonstrated his talent for making saves and this example was of the highest quality.
The game bobbed from side to side but eventually it was Paraguay who made the breakthrough. Parades again put in an excellent ball which was headed towards goal by Valdez, probably on its way in already the ball deflected off the unlucky Sancho who held his head aghast because of the mistake he felt he had made.
The goal was a touch harsh on Trinidad as they had set the early pace with some good passing and movement. The experience of Paraguay began to show through closer to half time as they began to break up attacks from their opposition with great regularity and show the kind of football which had beaten Brazil and Argentina in qualification.
They however could not extend their lead as Jack made an excellent save in first half stoppage from another Valdez header which he impressively pushed over the bar.
In the second half Trinidad once more began to push forward and in committing men to attack they neglected their defense on several occasions. Parades nearly gave Paraguay the lead on one such occasion but Jack was equal to his shot and Barreto also tested the keeper in a bid to put his side 2-0 up, Jack once more pushed the ball round the post for a corner however.
A wonder strike nearly put Trinidad back in the game however as substitute Wise headed down for Russell Latapy who’s volley whistled just over the bar leaving the keeper with no chance.
Looking to score their first goal Trinidad could not have come much closer but four minutes from the end their dreams were shattered by an excellent finish from Cuevas. Appearing off the bench for the third time in this tournament the veteran of World Cup 2002 played a sharp one two with a team mate before placing the ball to the right of the keeper to secure the three points for his side.
Difficult to accept for Trinidad as the result was they can be proud of what they achieved at the World Cup and no doubt every football supporter will be hoping that in four years time they can bring their excellent support and skillful play to South Africa 2010.
Despite great performances against Sweden and England the third game appeared to be a bridge too far for the plucky debutants who despite giving the crowd much to cheer about were unable to find their first goal in World Cup finals history.
Paraguay who had been unlucky to lose both of their opening matches stuck with a similar side to the one which Sweden managed to beat 1-0 in the dying seconds, Santa Cruz kept his place despite fitness concerns and he was backed up Valdez who had shown in sparks during the England game exactly what he could do if given a chance.
Trinidad who battled hard for seventy minutes against England before caving in gave some of their players the excellent experience that is World Cup football, making changes galore to their side. Only the front pairing of John and Yorke had played every minute of every game and they were ably assisted by Chris Birchall in midfield who once again put in a solid shift.
Paraguay forced a save from Kelvin Jack almost immediately in the game as a free kick swung over by Parades was met in the air by Santa Cruz. Though it looked as if it was going to sneak in at the far post, Jack clawed the ball away with a terrific out stretched hand.
Three minutes later however it was Trinidad’s turn to hold their heads as Cornell Glen forced an excellent and almost identical save from Bobadilla. Despite being thrown into the action after an injury to the goalkeeper in the first game the stopper once more demonstrated his talent for making saves and this example was of the highest quality.
The game bobbed from side to side but eventually it was Paraguay who made the breakthrough. Parades again put in an excellent ball which was headed towards goal by Valdez, probably on its way in already the ball deflected off the unlucky Sancho who held his head aghast because of the mistake he felt he had made.
The goal was a touch harsh on Trinidad as they had set the early pace with some good passing and movement. The experience of Paraguay began to show through closer to half time as they began to break up attacks from their opposition with great regularity and show the kind of football which had beaten Brazil and Argentina in qualification.
They however could not extend their lead as Jack made an excellent save in first half stoppage from another Valdez header which he impressively pushed over the bar.
In the second half Trinidad once more began to push forward and in committing men to attack they neglected their defense on several occasions. Parades nearly gave Paraguay the lead on one such occasion but Jack was equal to his shot and Barreto also tested the keeper in a bid to put his side 2-0 up, Jack once more pushed the ball round the post for a corner however.
A wonder strike nearly put Trinidad back in the game however as substitute Wise headed down for Russell Latapy who’s volley whistled just over the bar leaving the keeper with no chance.
Looking to score their first goal Trinidad could not have come much closer but four minutes from the end their dreams were shattered by an excellent finish from Cuevas. Appearing off the bench for the third time in this tournament the veteran of World Cup 2002 played a sharp one two with a team mate before placing the ball to the right of the keeper to secure the three points for his side.
Difficult to accept for Trinidad as the result was they can be proud of what they achieved at the World Cup and no doubt every football supporter will be hoping that in four years time they can bring their excellent support and skillful play to South Africa 2010.