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Goalkeepers
1-Justo Villar (Newell's Old Boys, Argentina) Born 30.6.77 Caps: 37 Goals: 0
The main team goalkeeper who filled the gap left by the famous team goalkeeper and former captain Jose Luis Chilavert. J.Villar is not as colorful as his predecessor and does not have the God-given gift of scoring penalty kicks, but he plays more reliably in goal. In 2004, he won the Argentine Apertura championship with his team.
12-Derlis Gomes (Sportivo Luqueno) Born 2.11.72 Caps: 4 Goals: 0
He made his debut in the national team in friendly matches with Ecuador this year at the age of 32, but still plays reliably. He will probably be the second team goalkeeper.
22-Aldo Bobadilla (Libertad) Born 20.4.76 Caps: 5 Goals: 0
He played in several friendly matches. Invited to the national team as the third goalkeeper due to his excellent performance in this year's Libertadores Cup.
Defenders
21-Denis Caniza (Cruz Azul, Mexico) Born 29.8.74 Caps: 72 Goals: 1
A central defender who can also play in an improvised full-back position. He played in the 2002 World Cup, later returning to the national team at the beginning of the qualifying matches for these championships.
4-Carlos Gamarra (Palmeiras) Born 17.2.71 Caps: 104 Goals: 11
Still a strong and powerful defender, playing in his third championship, despite spending two years mostly on the bench at Milan's Inter. Excellently intercepts balls and clears them from under the feet. He did not concede a penalty kick in four team matches at the 1998 World Cup. Plays dangerously during corner kicks. Scored two goals with his head in the 2006 qualifying matches.
5-Julio Cesar Caceres (River Plate, Argentina) Born 5.10.79 Caps: 30 Goals: 2
A constant partner of Gamarra in the center of defence. He played in 15 of the 18 qualifying matches. He started his career as a right-back, and also played in the 2002 World Cup in this position. At the beginning of this year, after an unsuccessful season at Brazilian club Atletico Mineiro, he moved to River Plate.
14-Paulo Da Silva (Toluca, Mexico) Born 1.2.80 Caps: 31 Goals: 0
A central defender who was a member of the country's youth (U-20) team. Currently, mostly plays on the left side of defence for his country. Previously played in Italy, wearing the shirts of Perugia, Cosenza, and Vicenza, before playing for Argentine club Lanus.
2-Jorge Nunez (Estudiantes, Argentina) Born 22.1.78 Caps: 13 Goals: 1
A left-back. Replaced Da Silva in the last three qualifying matches. Last year he played unsuccessfully at Racing Club, where, after being jeered by the fans, he was disqualified for an ironic gesture towards them. Currently plays for another Argentine club, Estudiantes.
15-Julio Manzur (Santos, Brazil) Born 22.1.81 Caps: 11 Goals: 0
Won a silver medal with his national team at the 2004 Olympic Games in Greece. His first real debut in the national team was in 2004 at the Copa America tournament against Brazil, where Paraguay celebrated an unexpected victory with a score of 2-1. He played in four qualifying matches. In January, he moved to Santos in Brazil and helped the team win the Paulista Championship in April.
3-Delio Toledo (Real Zaragoza, Spain) Born 10.2.76 Caps: 28 Goals: 4
A left flank defender. He played for the national team at the beginning of the World Cup qualifiers, but later dropped out due to injury. In November, he rejoined the team, participating in a four-team tournament in Iran.
Midfielders
6-Carlos Bonet (Libertad) Born 2.10.77 Caps: 26 Goals: 1
A defensive midfielder whose career is plagued by injuries. He played in the first five qualifying matches, but later suffered a serious knee injury and was out of the squad for half a year. He will have to compete for a place in the team with young talent Edgar Barreto.
8-Edgar Barreto (NEC Nijmegen, Netherlands) Born 15.7.84 Caps: 13 Goals: 0
One of the newly emerging talents from Paraguay. At the age of 19, he was brought from Cerro Porteno to the Dutch team NEC Nijmegen. He participated in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Since then, he has been called up to the national team. In the final matches of the qualifying cycle, he came onto the field from the first minutes in several games.
11-Diego Gavilan (Newell's Old Boys, Argentina) Born 1.3 80 Caps: 38 Goals: 0
He likes to play on the right side of the field. He became the first Paraguayan footballer to sign a contract with an English Premier League team - in 1999, he moved to Newcastle. However, due to injuries, the midfielder could not establish himself in the team and returned to Mexico's UAG in 2001. He made his national team debut in 1999 against Mexico. He was one of the main players in the Brazilian Internacional team, later moving to Argentina.
10-Roberto Acuna (Deportivo Coruna, Spain) Born 25.3.72 Caps: 90 Goals: 5
Also known as 'The Bull.' R.Acuna was the team's playmaker at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups. After almost three years of absence from the national team, in September he was called back for a crucial match against Argentina, which Paraguay won 1-0, and R.Acuna, after an impressive performance, became a regular member of the team again. Currently plays in a more defensive position. Born in Argentina to Paraguayan parents, he made his national team debut in the 1993 Copa America tournament. He played for Argentina's Boca Juniors and later spent five seasons at Zaragoza, also acquiring Spanish citizenship.
13-Carlos Paredes (Reggina, Italy) Born 16.7.76 Caps: 66 Goals: 10
More of a defensive midfielder, but due to his speed, passing, and ability to fight for high balls, he can also play in an attacking role. Before moving to Reggina, he played for the Porto team, with Barcelona also once showing interest in the defender.
17-Jose Montiel (Olimpia) Born 19.3.88 Caps: 5 Goals: 0
Still only 18, he plays regularly for the main team of Olimpia. The player is predicted to have a bright future, provided he avoids injuries. Particularly dangerous in converting penalty kicks. He made his national team debut last year against Venezuela, coming onto the field after a substitution.
16-Cristian Riveros (Libertad) Born 16.10.82 Caps: 6 Goals: 0
He made his national team debut last year in an away friendly match against Ecuador and surprised both coach Anibal Ruiz and football experts with his performance. He played in the last qualifying matches against Venezuela and Colombia.
19-Julio Dos Santos (Bayern Munich, Germany) Born 7.5.83 Caps: 14 Goals: 5
He emerged as a player at Cerro Porteno, where he was the team's playmaker. A left-sided midfielder who played in last year's Copa America tournament. After a few games where he came onto the field as a substitute, Dos Santos later played in the starting lineup of all three of the last national team's qualifying matches and left a good impression. He has a good shot. Currently plays for Bayern Munich.
Forwards
9-Roque Santa Cruz (Bayern Munich, Germany) Born 16.8.81 Caps: 42 Goals: 13
He finishes the team's attacks well. Despite his tall and lean frame, he plays well with the ball. He has been playing for the national team for four years already. In October, he was seriously injured in the Bundesliga, but recovered just before the start of the championship. The Munich club acquired him when he was just 18 from Paraguay's Olimpia.
18-Nelson Haedo Valdez (Borussia Dortmund, Germany) Born 28.11.83 Caps: 9 Goals: 2
One of the most important newly discovered talents in the country. In 2001, the player signed a contract with Werder Bremen, although he had not played for the national team yet. Before the start of the championship, he moved to Borussia Dortmund. Valdez scored a goal in the qualifying matches against Venezuela, securing Paraguay's ticket to Germany. He is expected to play in attack with Santa Cruz.
7-Salvador Cabanas (Chiapas, Mexico) Born 5.8.80 Caps: 13 Goals: 1
He was one of the top scorers in the Chilean and Mexican championships, although he played for modest provincial clubs in both leagues - Audax Italiano and Chiapas respectively. Fast and plays well with the ball, but it is unlikely that he will be seen frequently on the field during the World Cup in Germany.
23-Nelson Cuevas (Pachuca, Mexico) Born 10.1.80 Caps: 32 Goals: 5
Excellent dribbler who scores well, but rarely makes it into the main national team lineup. His two goals in 2002 helped the team reach the quarterfinals of the championship, but the player failed to secure a permanent place in the team. He played for River Plate for five seasons before moving to China. Currently plays in Mexico."
