The Paraguayan team announced the calling of striker Óscar “Tacuara” Cardozo, 38, for the list of available players on Thursday against Venezuela, on the tenth date of the South American qualifiers to Qatar 2022.
Cardozo, goal scorer for the Paraguayan club Libertad, was announced by the Paraguayan Football Association after the departure of Antonio Sanabria’s team, which will not play in Asunción against the Venezuelans due to family circumstances.
The Gumarelo striker had not been summoned by Albirroja for about two years.
Paraguay, which as Venezuela is currently outside the classification zone in the South American table, will not count for that match with the injured Brazilian Flamengo midfielder Robert Piris Da Motta.
On the other hand, defender Junior Alonso, from Atlético Mineiro, will return to the scheme of coach Eduardo Berizzo, who due to a warning did not play this Sunday against Colombia, in Asunción, in the duel that ended with a goal tie.
That tie, like the previous defeat against Ecuador (2-0), has generated a shower of criticism for Berizzo, whose departure was requested by many spectators who attended the match with Colombia.
Paraguay has only won one game of the eight played in this tie, precisely against Venezuela (0-1), and is in sixth place in the standings, with eight points.
The game against the Caribbean is considered a test that will decide Berizzo’s continuity, according to some local media, who with a victory would make Albirroja take off on the table.
The team held the first of their training sessions on Monday after the clash with the coffee growers and will repeat today at the Ypané sports complex, on the outskirts of Asunción.
The Venezuelan team, which arrived in the Paraguayan capital on Monday afternoon, plans to train today and do so again on Wednesday.
Venezuela, which has just lost to Peru (1-0), is in last place in the table, with 4 points. AFP (HN)