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Group B Match Preview - Paraguay v Sweden, Isaksson Returns For SwedesSubmitted by Matt Vance on Thu, 15/06/2006 - 17:51.
Sweden and Paraguay meet in the fourth game of Group B at the Olympiastadion, Berlin, with everything to play for in the battle to secure one of the top two spots in the group. A win for Paraguay would put them on the same points as the Swedes, and give them a good chance of making the knockout stages. Following Sweden’s listless performance in the 0-0 draw against Trinidad & Tobago, a considerable improvement is required if they are to get the win they need. Paraguay coach Anibal Ruiz is intending to field a more attacking line-up against Sweden as they search for the victory. "We were too cautious against England in the first half and we need to play to our strengths, in our own style," Ruiz said. "Sweden is one of the teams that we think are about our level." Paraguay’s star striker Nelson Haedo Valdez - who was probably man of the match in the defeat against England - is only too aware of the significance of the encounter: "I see this match as a final, and we have to win if we want to reach the next round without depending on what other teams do," he said. "We will be forced to change our tactics and play on the attack, as we did in the second half against England." Roque Santa Cruz, Valdez's partner in attack, agreed with his team-mate, but also urged caution: "The worse that could happen to us is getting desperate if minutes pass and we do not score a goal," Santa Cruz said. "We have to keep calm, be aware of our own resources, and not be thinking of the rival all the time as we did when we played England." Aldo Bobadilla will replace Justo Villar in goal for Paraguay after Villar was ruled out for the rest of the tournament after sustaining a torn calf muscle in the match against England. Left-back Delio Toledo is also ruled out due to a thigh injury. Jorge Nunez is expected to replace him. Despite the disappointing draw against Trinidad and Tobago, Sweden coach Lars Lagerback remains bullish and has the bonus of a full squad to choose from: "Everyone is fit and everyone trained 100%," he said. Rennes goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson has recovered from concussion and is expected to replace Rami Shabaan. "If you look back at last year, at the qualifiers, he [Isaksson] has always been our number one," said Lagerback. Lagerback even found something positive to take from the dispute between Arsenal’s Freddie Ljungberg and Aston Villa’s Olof Mellberg. The argument was reported to have become so heated, that the pair almost exchanged blows. However, Lagerback thought the result has been beneficial to his squad: "If it had an effect it has had a positive effect,” he said. Alongside the return of Andreas Isaksson for Sweden, Kim Kallstrom is expected to replace Anders Svensson in midfield. Sweden (probable): Isaksson, Nilsson, Mellberg, Lucic, Edman, Linderoth, Ljungberg, Wilhelmsson, Kallstrom, Ibrahimovic, Larsson. Paraguay (probable): Bobadilla, Caniza, Caceres, Gamarra, Nunez, Bonet, Acuna, Paredes, Riveros, Santa Cruz, Haedo Valdez. Referee: Lubos Michel (Slovakia) in favorites | email this page
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