|
Like most South American countries, Paraguay has rich national and
international football heritage. In fact, the Paraguay national
football team has enjoyed some success in previous FIFA World Cup
competitions, having reached the second round of the prestigious
football tournament in 1986, 1998 and 2002. And although the side has
not made it beyond the second round, many football fans in Paraguay are
hoping that will all change in the upcoming 2010 World Cup in South
Africa.
The Paraguay national football team did however win the coveted Copa
América in 1953 and 1979, as well as silver in the 2004 Olympic
Games when it lost to Argentina 1-0 in the final. The side is overseen
and controlled by the Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol
which was founded in 1906. Under its supervision, the country's first
ever national football team was formed in 1910 to play a friendly match
against the Argentine club Hércules of Corrientes. Shortly
thereafter, the Paraguay national football team was officially formed,
along with its characteristic striped red and white jerseys that are
still played in to this day.
When the Paraguay national football side played in its first ever Copa
America in 1921, it shocked everyone by beating the reigning South
American champions, Uruguay 2-1, and went on to finish the tournament
in fourth place. Since then the squad has been a regular entrant in the
tournament. But it is World Cup glory that the team is truly seeking,
which it is hoping to achieve in 2010 with thanks to the guidance of
head coach, Gerardo Martino, who has led the team since February 2007,
when he replaced Anibal 'Maño' Ruiz.
|
