World Cup Qualifier - Paraguay v Argentina:DIEGO MARADONA'S struggling Argentina can ill-afford to drop more points when they face Paraguay in their World Cup qualifier tonight. Paraguay can secure a place in the finals for the fourth time in a row if they win or even draw provided Colombia and Ecuador do not win their matches.
The possibility of Argentina slipping out of the four automatic berths in the South American group looms large after three losses in their last four qualifiers.
Saturday’s crushing 3-1 home defeat by Brazil, who secured their place in the 2010 finals in South Africa in the process, was only rendered less damaging by defeats for Ecuador and Uruguay in the places just below Argentina.
Maradona is expected to make a string of changes, in particular to a defence that failed to deal with dead ball situations. One such change could be Estudiantes centre back Rolando Schiavi who could become, at 36 years, seven months and 22 days, Argentina’s oldest debutant.
Fernando Gago is expected to strengthen the midfield, while up front, Carlos Tevez is out with a knee injury which might see Maradona opt for a target man like Diego Milito, Lisandro Lopez, or even Boca Juniors veteran Martin Palermo, for Lionel Messi to play off.
“We must try to profit from Argentinas need to win,” said Paraguay defender Julio Cesar Caceres, who plays in Buenos Aires for Boca Juniors. “If we want to win we must attack but be wary of the quick players Argentina have like Messi because one man alone can’t mark him.”
Paraguay could be without goalkeeper and captain Justo Villar, who injured his shoulder in training. Gerardo Martino’s team are settled even if they have lost the form that took them to the top of the group table last year.
Their laboured 1-0 win over Bolivia with a Salvador Cabanas penalty on Saturday was their first victory in five qualifiers this year.
Chile can reach their first World Cup since 1998 if they win in Brazil for the first time in their qualifier in Salvador. The Brazilians, who will be depleted by the suspensions of key players Kaka, Luis Fabiano, captain Lucio and Ramires and the absence of the injured Robinho, have already qualified for South Africa with their 3-1 win in Argentina on Saturday.
Fabiano’s absence could mean a first competitive start since last year for Adriano, whose has revived his fortunes at Flamengo.
Chile blew a chance for their own celebration at home at the weekend when they were held 2-2 by Venezuela.
