Three teams from Latin America and the Caribbean play in today’s World Cup tripleheader in Germany. The first match looks to be the best as Paraguay faces off against perennial favorites England. Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz has recovered very well from a serious leg injury to start today’s match, while midfielder Pablo Acuña observes the importance of this game for the “Guaranis” in that “we can’t concede any advantages…(the game ) is like a final.” Paraguay typically plays with a very physical style and today shall be no exception especially to control the English striking duo of Michael Owen and Peter Crouch. (Kickoff set for 9am EST). At around 12pm noon, World Cup first timers Trinidad and Tobago will play against
Sweden. The smallest country ever to qualify for the World Cup, Trinidad are not expected to make any major impact in the tournament and could easily leave Germany with three first round defeats. Worse, Marvin Andrews reinjured his knee during training and will miss today’s match and possibly the second game on Thursday. Yet with the odds stacked against them, the “Soca Warriors” are more than ready to enjoy the World Cup experience and make their country proud.
Speaking of
odds, favorites Argentina start the road to the final today as they face newcomers Ivory Coast in Hamburg. Argentina is expected to easily win today, though they do not underestimate the potential for the Ivorians to pull off an upset. Midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme is the lynchpin of the “albicelestes” who are looking to surpass their disappointing performance in 2002 when they failed to make it past the first round. (Kickoff set for around 3pm EST).
paraguay, argentina, Trinidad and tobago, soccer, world cup
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