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2) Derlis Gonzalez
Arguably the biggest surprise in Ramon Diaz’s team selection for the opener was the absence of Derlis Gonzalez in attack. The electric winger, touted as the next big thing of Paraguayan and even South American football, is probably the only player in the Albirroja team who can turn a match on its head with one precocious piece of sorcery.
Indeed, the fact that they went on to score two goals after his introduction is no coincidence though he didn’t play a direct part in either of them. While Haedo Valdez vindicated his selection over the youngster, it is tough to see the latter being ignored for the remaining matches.
The 21-year old has already proved in his fledgling career that he isn’t afraid of the limelight. The bigger the stage, the brighter he shines. In fact, his goals against FC Porto, Ludogorets Razgrad and most impressively, the one he scored against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu in his debut Champions League campaign, are all testament to his big match temperament.
1) Roque Santa Cruz
The flagbearer of Paraguayan football for well over a decade now, the shadow of Santa Cruz still looms large over the Guaranis, though his influence and presence in the team has diminished ever so slightly. The former Bayern Munich number 9 still leads the line for his national team at the age of 33, though he faces stiff competition from the likes of Nelson Haedo Valdez and Lucas Barrios. If anything, he has managed to stand his ground as his brace against Honduras last week showed.
The darling of Ewood Park holds the key to Paraguay unlocking defences, with his uncanny knack of scoring vital goals with both his feet and his head, being of vital importance to a team, which doesn’t create too many chances. The archetypal finisher, the former Manchester City and Malaga forward, has to put his wealth of experience to use in order to catapult his team any further than the predicted quarter-finals.
However, with a history of punching above their weight, Paraguay and Roque Santa Cruz can call upon the memories of the FIFA World Cup 2010 as well as the 2011 Copa America for inspiration. And with this edition of the Copa being most certainly his final international tournament, Santa Cruz would be gunning to finish a storied career on a high.
