There was disappointment among the local football fraternity, when the India matches were shifted out of Mumbai. But South American outfit Paraguay have ensured that the Mumbaikars have got a lot to cheer for with their eye-catching brand of football to take the fight to one of the pre-tournament favourites Mali.
Playing an attacking game, they created a flutter with an upset win over the African nation and will be looking to finish the group stage in style when they take on Turkey on Thursday.
Paraguay’s concern is their weak defence, having conceded four goals in two games, but they make it up with their attacking force, outscoring their opponents, having hammered a whopping seven goals to collect all six points from their two games.
Alan Rodriguez, Leonardo Sanchez and Anibal Vega are the players to watch out for.
“I am very concerned with the defence and I realise that we are risking too much and are open. I know my strikers can score goals. For the next game, we need to work more on our defence and tactics,” Paraguay coach Gustavo Morinigo has said after their last game against New Zealand in which they condeded two own goals. “It is all about players. We have been trying to develop our players. We want to focus on the defensive part where we are lacking and we need to work on it,” said Morinigo.
Having failed to progress beyond the group stage in their last appearance, at Chile 2015, Paraguay have already achieved their first goal of making it to the knock-outs. Topping the table will be the icing on the cake.
{{/usCountry}}Having failed to progress beyond the group stage in their last appearance, at Chile 2015, Paraguay have already achieved their first goal of making it to the knock-outs. Topping the table will be the icing on the cake.
{{/usCountry}}It is the last chance for Turkey to salvage their tournament. It has been a disappointing run for the European team, who have struggled to cope with the humid conditions, and sit at the bottom of Group B with one point.