Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Lesotho Soccer: Inspired Paraguay reaches quarterfinals

Lesotho Soccer World Cup News:

Image from latimes.com
World Cup: Inspired Paraguay reaches quarterfinals
source: Kevin Baxter | latimes.com

With an effort dedicated to teammate Salvador Cabanas, who was shot in the head in January, Paraguay defeats Japan on penalty kicks to get past the second round for the first time.

Reporting from Pretoria, South Africa — Physically, Salvador Cabanas was half a world away when Edgar Barreto prepared to take the penalty shot that would help decide Paraguay's World Cup future.

Spiritually, however, Barreto said he felt like his former teammate was standing right behind him. "His spirit is with the team," Barreto said. "He's always close to us."

Cabanas should have been on the field Tuesday as Paraguay, which defeated Japan, 5-3, on penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw, moved into the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in its history. Instead he was in South America, recuperating from a near-fatal shooting that left him with a bullet in his head.

 Gone, perhaps, but certainly not forgotten.

"Before we go out to train or whatever, we think of him. We know that he's over there but we know he's supporting us," Paraguay striker Edgar Benitez said.

Which is why Cabanas' ex-teammates are doing what they can to support him. Knowing they were guaranteed only three games in South Africa, the Paraguayans dedicated their first-round matches to Cabanas.

They went on to win their group, eliminating the defending tournament champions from Italy along the way. "We called him in his room," midfielder Cristian Riveros said. "We sent him a big hug."

Then came Tuesday, when Paraguay battled Japan through 120 scoreless minutes, setting up a penalty-kick shootout to determine which team would move on. Japan was the strongest team in the tournament on free kicks. Paraguay, with three goals, was the lowest-scoring group winner in the World Cup.

Yet it was Japan that flinched when Yuichi Komano's shot in the third round struck the crossbar. When Nelson Valdez and Oscar Cardozo followed by burying their attempts, Paraguay's improbable run continued.

"We've dedicated this to him," said Barreto, who set the tone for the shootout by beating Japanese keeper Eiji Kawashima with the first shot.

It's unlikely any of this happens without Cabanas, whose six goals in World Cup qualifying led the team and made Paraguay the second South American team to clinch a berth in the tournament.

Then came the morning of Jan. 25 when Cabanas, in Mexico City to play for his club team, walked into restroom on his way out of a trendy nightclub in an upscale neighborhood. Continue reading here...

Related Article(s) Maseru.Lesotho Soccer World Cup:
Paraguay eliminates Japan.

Villa's top of the world; Ronaldo out of World Cup

Lesotho Soccer World Cup News:

Villa's top of the world; Ronaldo out of World Cup
By RAF CASERT (AP)

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Move over Cristiano Ronaldo, and make room for David Villa as Iberia's biggest football star.

While 2008 world player of the year Ronaldo was again subdued as Portugal was eliminated from the World Cup, Villa scored his fourth goal of the competition for a 1-0 win that took Spain into the quarterfinals. Villa moved to the top of the tournament scoring charts with Gonzalo Higuain and Robert Vittek.

"David Villa is on fire, which is really good news for us," Spain defender Gerard Pique said.

Villa showed the sort of scoring touch against Portugal that Ronaldo has been lacking for his national team.

First shooting with his left foot to force goalkeeper Eduardo to make a save, he followed up by knocking in the rebound with his right foot for a 63rd-minute winner.

Ronaldo was billed as one of the top stars coming into the tournament in South Africa, but left much as England's Wayne Rooney did: with bitter disappointment. He did not speak to reporters after the match, but vented his frustration on his agent's website.

"I feel devastated, completely brokenhearted, frustrated and unimaginably sad," Ronaldo said. "I know I'm the captain, I have always faced up to my responsibilities, and I always will."

Villa has no such regrets. Everything is on the upswing for him.

Even before coming to South Africa, Villa already had made his big club move from Valencia to Barcelona. It allowed him to fully concentrate on what he does best: score goals.

And with seven World Cup goals overall, the 28-year old is Spain's best ever at the tournament.

There is only one key to Villa's success.

"To keep scoring," Villa said. "It was one of my best goals because it got us through to the next round. Keep scoring so we can keep going."

The score left Villa with 42 goals in 62 games, just two short of the 44 in 102 racked up by Raul Gonzalez, Spain's icon in the game.

On top of scoring, Villa was a constant threat on the left wing, continuing to threaten Portugal with surging runs and powerful shots.

Half an hour after the game at Green Point Stadium, hundreds of Spanish fans were still singing Villa's praises.

How different the fortunes of Ronaldo have been. Not that he lacked support among the 62,955 fans at the stadium.

One banner read "Marry me Ronaldo." Three girls each had a portion of a banner: "Ro" "Nal" and "Do." Others were Portuguese jerseys with Ronaldo's photo printed on the front.

It also displayed Ronaldo's predicament. When Villa has an off day, there is Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez or Fernando Torres to take charge.

Tuesday's loss showed that during the biggest games, Portugal still relies too heavily on Ronaldo. And the Real Madrid forward sometimes has trouble dealing with it.

Right before the opening whistle, Ronaldo pleaded to the heavens with outstretched arms, seemingly begging to make his mark on a huge game. It didn't work.

Villa turns it on when it matters — three goals at the 2006 World Cup, top scorer with four goals at Euro 2008, and four already here.

Ronaldo scored one penalty kick in 2006, one goal at Euro 2008 and one goal in South Africa.

When he came to Real Madrid from Manchester United as the world's most expensive player at $114 million, just showing up for the fan presentation filled Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

He was supposed to end a title drought for Real Madrid and get it into the Champions League final that his club hosted. He failed on those counts despite scoring 26 goals in 29 matches in his debut season.

And in the high-stakes rivalry with Barcelona, he will be facing a surging Villa next season. Perhaps Villa also will have a piece of the biggest soccer trophy of them all.

source: Google.com | AP