Party time for penalty kings Paraguay

PARAGUAY coach Gerardo Martino revealed his side were in party mood following their historic victory over Japan last night, although he admitted the full impact of their success has not yet sunk in.

Paraguay progressed to the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time after beating Japan 5-3 on penalties following a goalless draw in Pretoria.

The victory was greeted with a party in the streets back in Paraguay, and Martino revealed his side were enjoying being part of those celebrations.

“Obviously we are having a party, we’re celebrating together with the rest of the people of Paraguay,” he said.

“I can imagine the happiness of the people there, and of course let them enjoy it. I’ve seen the players make a huge effort. It was a very close match and of course now we celebrate the fact we’re in the quarter-finals.”

With neither side able to make the breakthrough during 120 minutes of precious few goalscoring chances or notable incidents, it needed the first shoot-out of the 2010 World Cup to separate the two nations.

And it was Paraguay who emerged victorious after Japan defender Yuichi Komano, looking to make it 3-3, slammed his effort against the crossbar.

That proved to be the crucial miss as Paraguay scored all five of their efforts, with Oscar Cardozo casually slotting home the winning spot-kick to send his team wild. Martino admitted it may take a while for their historic achievement to sink in.

“I believe that (goalkeeper Justo) Villar was right when he said in the dressing room that we haven’t given the necessary importance to this match yet. Perhaps we will give it that afterwards,” he added.

“It’s the first time that Paraguay have made the quarter-finals and the same would’ve applied to Japan. I just think we were lucky during the penalties, that made the difference.”

It was not the most exciting of matches, with clearcut chances at a premium during normal and extra-time.

However, Martino believes neither side should feel too disappointed about their performance.

“Perhaps it was not the way people wanted to see it, but neither the winner or loser have anything to reproach themselves about,” he added.

Substitutes for Paraguay: Valdez for Benitez, 60; Baretto for Ortigoza, 75; Cardozo for Santa Cruz, 94.

Substitutes for Japan: Okazaki for Matsui, 65, Nakamura for Abe, 81, Tamada for Okubo, 106.

Ref: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium).