Rejuvenated Paraguay out to avoid 2002 blunders

ASUNCION, May 24: Paraguay will be making their third successive World Cup appearance with a new-look team and are determined to avoid the problems which dogged them in 2002.

Last time, the Paraguayan association unceremoniously ditched coach Sergio Makarian, who had led them through the qualifiers, in favour of veteran Italian Cesare Maldini.

Maldini, however, never got to grips with the culture or language -- the players speak their native Guarani among themselves rather than Spanish -- spent most of his time in his native Italy and even got into problems with his visa.

Afterwards, captain Jose Luis Chilavert said Paraguay reached the last 16 only when they decided to ignore Maldini's instructions in the match against Slovakia which they won 3-1.

This time, their unassuming Uruguay-born coach Anibal Ruiz, who steered Paraguay through the two-year qualifying campaign, has been kept on and will lead the team in Germany.

Ruiz has managed to rejuvenate the side following the departures of stalwarts such as goalkeeper and captain Jose Luis Chilavert, right back Francisco Arce and defender Celso Ayala.

Striker Nelson Haedo Valdez, who scored the goal against Venezuela which guaranteed them a place in the finals, has emerged as a bright prospect in attack with impressive performances for Germany's Werder Bremen.

Haedo Valdez was signed by the Germans as an 18-year-old without having played professionally in his homeland.

His striking partner Roque Santa Cruz, still only 24 and set to play his second World Cup, is expected to have recovered from a knee operation, though it remains to be seen whether he will be at his best after a six-month layoff.

Another good prospect is attacking midfielder Julio dos Santos, an elegant player with a clinical finish who has already been snapped up by German's Bayern Munich after inspiring Cerro Porteno to two successive domestic titles.

The last year has also seen the rapid emergence of players such as midfielder Jose Montiel of Olimpia.

Some veterans remain, including central defender Carlos Gamarra, who has now played more than 100 times for his country and who famously went through four games in France '98 without giving away a free kick.

Midfielder Roberto Acuna has returned to the team at the age of 34 after three years in the cold and despite an absence of first-team football at Deportivo Coruna, though he has swapped his playmaker role for a holding one.

Paraguay will face England, Sweden and Trinidad&Tobago in their first-round group. They will expect to take three points from the Caribbean islanders and may fancy their chances of upsetting one of the two European sides.

Despite their limited resources, Paraguay have reached the last 16 at the last two World Cups and won the silver medal at the Athens Olympics -- the country's first medal in any sport in the history of the games.

Although not the prettiest team to watch, the ''Guaranis'' are tenacious and dangerous opponents who others will underestimate at their peril.

REUTERS