Supersub Cuevas starts on bench

Paraguay supersub Nelson Cuevas will start on the bench against Germany tomorrow despite his two goals against Slovenia.

The River Plate striker, who scored the goal that took Paraguay through to the last 16, has recovered from a knock he suffered towards the end of that dramatic 3-1 win, but coach Cesare Maldini does not think he could last the whole match.

Instead the vastly-experienced Jose Cardozo, who made way for Cuevas on Wednesday, will partner Bayern Munich’s Roque Santa Cruz in the second-round game in the Jeju World Cup stadium.

Maldini said: ‘‘Cuevas has recovered from his problem, but he will not start.

‘‘I don’t think he could last 90 minutes so I will start him on the bench.’’

Clarence Acuna is Maldini’s only injury doubt and the Real Zaragoza midfielder is struggling with a groin injury.

Maldini is keen that Acuna recovers because Porto midfielder Carlos Paredes has already been ruled out because of suspension.

Maldini knows Paraguay, who also reached the last 16 at France 98 only to lose to a golden goal from the French, face a testing afternoon against the Germans.

‘‘They are a great team,’’ he said. ‘‘Technically they are very good, while they also have a strong mentality, which I think is one of their best qualities.

‘‘It will be very difficult for us.’’

Paraguay’s best chance may be to try and hold out for penalties and Maldini made his players practise taking spot-kicks at the end of their training session in the Jeju stadium.

One Paraguayan not lacking in confidence is Jose Luis Chilavert - but then confidence is one thing the eccentric goalkeeper has never lacked.

When asked what he felt about facing Germany and Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, he replied with typical modesty: ‘‘It will be a great match - the two best goalkeepers in the world playing against each other.’’