Paraguay coach promises a win for his team.
Oberhaching: For a team that has lost both their World Cup games, Paraguay are talking big.
Real big.
Determined to leave the tournament on a high note, Paraguay coach Anibal Ruiz gauranteed a victory over Trinidad and Tobago tomorrow when both teams meet in their third Group B match.
“We are going out with a victory on Tuesday, and that means using all our best players, no substitutes,” he said “Although we didn’t reach our goal, these are players that never put their arms down and on Tuesday it will no be different.”
Already eliminated from the World Cup, Paraguay at least wants to go home with a consolation prize and a victory over Trinidad and Tobago will provide just that.
Yet, instead of being similarly assured of eviction tomorrow, the Soca Warriors still have a chance at the second round, and that could complicate Paraguay’s plans.
Trinidad and Tobago held Sweden to a scoreless draw and then held off England for 83 minutes before losing 2-0, the second goal coming in injury time. It needs to beat Paraguay by two goals and England to defeat Sweden by at least one to advance.
Paraguay was eliminated after falling 1-0 both to England and Sweden, but Suarez insists his players have pride and will do their best not to leave the tournament winless.
“These boys are real professionals,” Ruiz said yesterday. “They are of course still sad, but their mood has improved, they have trained strongly.”
It will be the national team finale for captain Carlos Gamarra, whose own-goal was the difference in the loss against England and has announced he will retire from the international game following the World Cup. “I will not leave the pitch looking down to the ground,” Gamarra said. “Me and all the boys aim at saying goodbye with a victory.”