Paraguay vs. Peru: International Friendly Schedule, Predictions & Preview
Paraguay and Peru will play each other on Friday, Nov. 14 in an international friendly exhibition game.
Both of these CONMEBOL teams have played each other in the past many times before. Paraguay and Peru will both have a chance to show off their talents against one another. This should be a very interesting game between two South American nations.
Let's see who has the edge:
Peru
Peru is ranked No. 54 in the FIFA rankings and No. 7 overall in the CONMEBOL rankings behind Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador and Uruguay. Peru has a storied soccer history, having won two Copa America titles in 1939 and 1975. Unfortunately for Peru, they have not qualified for a World Cup since 1982
Last month, Peru played two friendly games, winning one and losing the other. Peru lost to Chile 0-3, but defeated Guatemala 1-0. Defender Carlos Ascues scored the only goal in that low-scoring affair. Both Pedro Gallese and Raúl Fernández started those two games in goal for Peru in October.
Uruguayan head coach Pablo Bengoechea is the manager of the Peruvian team.
Juan Manuel Vargas and Luis Ramírez create a good middle field for Peru along with 26-year-old Josepmir Ballón. The team's No. 1 scoring option, Paolo Guerrero, leads the offense against Paraguay, but many questions remain on the defensive side of the ball. Peru's defense is very young. The two 24-year-olds, Yoshimar Yotún and Luis Advíncula, will try to stop Paraguay's offense with a very young surrounding cast.
Ascues has a team-leading three goals in friendly games this 2014 season.
Paraguay
Paraguay is ranked No. 76 in the world, and they rank No. 8 overall in the CONMEBOL standings. Historically, Paraguay has got the better of this matchup. Since 1929, Paraguay has won 22 games against Peru, and lost just 10 against their South American partners.
Paraguay (like Peru) has won two Copa America titles in 1953 and 1979.
Last month, Paraguay had a pretty bad trip to Asia. Paraguay lost 2-1 to China and 2-0 to North Korea. Fortunately for Paraguay, they will be playing at home in this game. Paraguay's only goal was scored by backup middle fielder Néstor Ortigoza.
Víctor Genes is the manager of this Paraguayan National Team. Genes previously managed this team back in 2001.
Team captain Roque Santa Cruz is the all-time leading goal scorer in Paraguay's team history. Edgar Benítez will be helping him on offense along with Nelson Haedo Valdez. Paraguay has far superior goaltending than Peru, with veteran Justo Villar in net. With Cristian Riveros, Víctor Cáceres and Víctor Ayala, Paraguay has a balanced middle field. Unfortunately, Paraguay does have holes defensively. Outside of Paulo da Silva, Paraguay doesn't have a lot of defensive depth.
Schedule, Where to Watch
Paraguay and Peru will face off on Friday, Nov. 14 in an international friendly exhibition game. This game will be played at the Estadio Feliciano Caceres in Luque, Paraguay. The game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. EST and will be shown on the beIN Sports Network. You can also view a live game stream here.
Prediction
This should be a close game between two teams who are very familiar with one another. Neither team has an elite defense, but Paraguay's experience should be able to defeat Peru in the end. Playing at home will also inspire Paraguay, as well.
Paraguay wins 3-2
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