Group F contenders
Italy
Paraguay
New Zealand
Slovakia

Route to the finals
South Africa 2010 is Paraguay’s fourth consecutive World Cup finals and eighth in total, qualifying for it in a comprehensive fashion.

For the first time since the current qualifying system came into being, the Albirroja’s posted more than 30 points, racking up ten wins, three draws and five defeats.

Paraguay’s campaign included impressive home victories over Brazil and Argentina, the latter result providing the points that confirmed their place in South Africa.

Manager
Having made a managerial name for himself with Paraguayan club sides Cerro Porteno and Libertad, Argentine-born Gerardo Martino was appointed Head Coach of the Paraguay national team in 2007.

Overseeing his side’s successful qualifying campaign in impressive style, fans will hope they can maintain that quality in the finals.

Player watch
The forward trio of Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City), Nelson Haedo Valdez (Borrusia Dortmund) and Oscar Cardoza (Benfica) provide Paraguay’s most notable threat.

Had it not been for the shooting of Salvador Cabanas in January, leaving the striker in intensive care, that threat would have been even greater.

However, the three mentioned are all capable of scoring vital goals and between them netted ten times during qualification.

Competition History
First appearance: 1930
No. of appearances (inc 2010): 8
Best result: Round of 16 (1986, ’98 & ’02)
Matches against England: 3

Squad

Goalkeepers
1	Justo Villar	Real Valladolid, ESP
12	Diego Barreto	Cerro Porteño, PAR
22	Aldo Bobadilla	Medellín, COL
Defenders
2	Darío Verón	Pumas UNAM, MEX
3	Claudio Morel	Boca Juniors, ARG
4	Denis Caniza	CD León, MEX
5	Julio César Cáceres	Atlético-MG, BRA
14	Paulo da Silva	Sunderland, ENG
17	Aureliano Torres	San Lorenzo, ARG
21	Antolín Alcaraz	Club Brugge, BEL
Midfielders
6	Carlos Bonet	Olimpia, PAR
8	Edgar Barreto	Atalanta, ITA
11	Jonathan Santana	VfL Wolfsburg, GER
13	Enrique Vera	LDU de Quito, ECU
15	Víctor Caceres	Libertad, PAR
16	Cristián Riveros	Cruz Azul, MEX
20	Néstor Ortigoza	Argentinos Juniors, ARG
Forwards
7	Oscar Cardozo	Benfica, POR
9	Roque Santa Cruz	Manchester City, ENG
10	Edgar Benitez	Pachuca, MEX
18	Nelson Valdez	Borussia Dortmund, GER
19	Lucas Barrios	Borussia Dortmund, GER
23	Rodolfo Gamarra	Libertad, PAR