Soccer: Spaniards have score to settle against Paraguay

CHONJU - After achieving their best World Cup start for 52 years, Spain have a score to settle in tonight's group B clash with Paraguay.

Paraguay, who will have inspirational goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert back from suspension, held Spain to a goalless draw in France '98 and it was the South Americans who eventually went through to the next phase.

Spain are in a far better position four years on after a 3-1 victory over Slovenia on Sunday gave them their first winning start at the finals since 1950.

Paraguay endured a much tougher workout in their debut game as South Africa came from 2-0 down to clinch a 2-2 draw.

Spain retain a lot of respect for a team that looked superb in their qualifying campaign and they will not be reading too much into those two defensive lapses as they look to secure a place in the last 16.

"Going into the World Cup the first game was the most important," said centre-back Miguel Angel Nadal, who was on the bench when the two sides met in France.

"Now we want to win this one, and take our first chance to get six points and move into the next phase," he said.

"Four years on, there are a lot of differences. The most important is that we're going into the game with three points to our name. They need the points more than we do, and that's an advantage for us."

Nadal is likely to keep his place at the back alongside skipper Fernando Hierro, despite the strong claims of Ivan Helguera.

Coach Jose Antonio Camacho could make one change up front, replacing Diego Tristan with Fernando Morientes, and he might consider bringing in David Albelda if the midfielder's groin injury has improved.

Paraguay will hope to welcome back key midfielder Carlos Paredes, who missed the South Africa game with a calf injury, as well as the colourful Chilavert.

The 36-year-old keeper has threatened to embarrass his opposite number, Iker Casillas, by scoring at least twice in the game and he has been practising his free kicks and penalties in training this week.

Latest betting from William Hill: 7-2 Brazil, Italy; 4-1 Argentina; 11-2 France; 13-2 Spain.

Probable teams:

Spain: Iker Casillas; Carles Puyol, Fernando Hierro, Miguel Angel Nadal, Juanfran; Luis Enrique, Ruben Baraja, Juan Carlos Valeron, Javi de Pedro; Raul, Fernando Morientes.

Paraguay: Jose Luis Chilavert; Francisco Arce, Carlos Gamarra, Celso Ayala, Julio Cesar Caceres, Denis Caniza; Carlos Paredes, Guido Alvarenga, Roberto Acuna; Roque Santa Cruz, Jorge Campos.

- REUTERS

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