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- Villar: Paraguay must close down Spain
- CENTURION, South Africa (AP)—Goalkeeper Justo Villar says his Paraguay lineup has a game plan to stop European champion Spain in the World Cup quarterfinals: “Don’t give them any space.” Villar, who turned 33 on Wednesday, plays for Valladolid in the Spanish league, so he has a good idea of wha View more »
- Okada takes blame for Japan exit
Japan coach Takeshi Okada assumed responsibility for his side's World Cup exit at the hands of Paraguay in what could have been his final game in charge of the Blue Samurai.
After an uninspiring 120 minutes of action which produced no goals and only a handful of goalmouth incidents, Paraguay claimed their maiden a View more »- Del Bosque praises in-form Villa
Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque hailed the all-round brilliance of match-winner David Villa after the forward's goal secured a 1-0 win over Portugal to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.
Del Bosque's side now move on to face Paraguay in the last eight after an excellent performance in Cape Town which was only rewa View more »- Blue Samurai show England how to play with pride in the shirt
While France and England were the despair of their nations, Japan showed how far you could go when you fight to the last bead of sweat
Yuichi Komano, a full-back famed for his courage but also the culprit for Japan in yesterday's penalty shoot-out
Japan are still in the margins of world football's elite. Indeed, betw View more »- Paraguay progress as Japan pay penalty
- Paraguay progressed through to the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time in their history after beating Japan in a penalty shoot-out in Pretoria. With neither side able to make the breakthrough during 120 minutes of precious few goalscoring chances or notable incidents, it needed the first shoot-out of th View more »
- Okada: Japan building for future
Japan coach Takeshi Okada admits it would be "wonderful" news for the sport back home if his side can reach the FIFA World Cup™ quarter-finals, but insists that must be just another step towards a more long-term goal.
The Blue Samurai have the chance to reach the last eight of the FIFA World Cup for the first View more »- Cabanas the inspiration for Paraguay
Paraguay will attempt to reach their first ever World Cup quarter-final inspired by the plight of team-mate Salvador Cabanas, the striker still recovering after being shot in the head in a Mexico City bar in January, according to Sunderland midfielder Cristian Riveros.
Though doctors say the 29-year-old has made a View more »- Paraguay VS Japan: Martino keen to strike first blow
- Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino believes the first goal in the last-16 showdown with Japan could prove crucial as both teams look to create history by reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time. With just three goals to their credit, Paraguay were the lowest scorers of any of the eight pool winners View more »
- Tulio fit for Paraguay clash
Defender Tulio has declared himself fit for Japan's last 16 clash with Paraguay in Pretoria on Tuesday after recovering from a knock, although coach Takeshi Okada may be tempted to name the same XI that beat Denmark 3-1.
Paraguay midfielder Victor Caceres is suspended but Antolin Alcaraz could return after missing View more »- Okazaki: Japan have nothing to lose
Shinji Okazaki has warned Paraguay that Japan have "nothing to lose" as they bid for a historic place in the World Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday.
Okazaki opened his World Cup account when he climbed off the bench to score the clincher in the 3-1 Group E win over Denmark on Thursday to seal Japan's place in the las View more »
