Ten-man Paraguay stun Brazil

Subject: Ten-man Paraguay stun Brazil Fri Jun 20, 2008 2:34 am

Ten-man Paraguay convincingly beat Brazil 2-0 in Asuncion on Sunday to motor further ahead in the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ qualifying table.

It was a nondescript performance by the five-time world champions, far from their famous spectacular play, who fell to goals in each half by Roque Santa Cruz and Salvador Cabanas in front of 35,000 spectators at the Defensores del Chaco stadium in Ascunsion.

And two minutes after the break, Paraguay right back Dario Veron was handed a second yellow card for a tackle from behind, earning his dismissal.

Brazil coach Dunga, surely with one eye on Wednesday's home clash with Argentina in Belo Horizonte, must have rued the absence of attacking flair of AC Milan's Kaka, who recently had knee surgery and became a father for the first time, and out-of-form Barcelona striker Ronaldinho.

Early on Robinho broke through into Argentina's box but the move came to nothing, moments before Cabanas gained possession on the edge of the area and hit the right hand post of well-beaten Brazilian keeper Julio Cesar.

Brazil showed defensive frailty when Paraguay went ahead in the 26th minute.

A slightly mis-hit corner by Edgar Barreto, who had an excellent match, caused confusion at the near post and the ball shot through a crowded six-yard box for recent Blackburn recruit Santa Cruz to sidefoot home at the far post.

Luis Fabiano bustled into the box and fed Robinho but he just could not make contact with the ball as he slid into Paraguay keeper Justo Villar.

Paraguay however started to dominated just before the break and were continually trying to break through their opponents' back line.

Barreto had a dangerous-looking freekick on the right hand side of the box but the team of Argentinian coach Gerardo Martino could not make it count.

Manchester United midfielder Anderson came on for Josue for the second half.

Paraguay had an up-and-down start after the interval. Right back Veron was shown a red card by Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda but moments later in the 49th minute, Paraguay were two goals ahead.

Cabanas strikes
Santa Cruz shot down the left flank and his shot was partially blocked by keeper Julio Cesar but Cabanas was well-positioned to rifle the ball home at the far post.

Santa Cruz and Cabanas once more linked together well up front and Cabanas managed to hit the crossbar with a well-struck left-foot shot.

Inter Milan striker Adriano, on loan to Sao Paulo till July 10, came on for Mineiro with half an hour to go, and then Julio Baptista entered in place of Diego in the 70th minute.

Cabanas, who had had an excellent match, came off to a rousing ovation when he left the field with about a quarter-hour to go.

Brazil, the only team to have played in every single World Cup finals, used to easily go through these qualifying competitions but in recent times they have had to struggle.

Dunga, quoted in Sunday's Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper, said Robinho epitomised what Brazilian football was all about, saying: "He (Robinho) is the symbol of Brazilian football. He is always smiling and wanting to play football.

"It's true he takes the game seriously but at the same time he wants to have fun and he must be pleased to be here (playing against Paraguay)."

In later matches on Sunday, Argentina host Ecuador (2110 GMT) and Bolivia meet Chile (2330 GMT).

» Paraguay break clear
» Paraguay move out of sight
» Brazil 2008 names now known
» Brazil held by Argentina