Paraguay vs Japan – teams announced
Published:Paraguay have made five changes to their side for the last 16 clash with Japan, which kicks off at 3pm.
Oscar Cardozo, Nelson Valdez, Denis Caniza and Marcos Caceres are dropped to the bench following the disappointing 0-0 draw with New Zealand. Victor Careces is suspended.
Nestor Ortigoza, Antolin Alcaraz, Carlos Bonet, Lucas Barrios and Edgar Benitez are all recalled to the starting XI.
Roque Santa Cruz retains his place in the Paraguayan attack, and he is 13/2 to score first.
Japan, in stark contrast to their South American opponents, name an unchanged side from their 3-1 win against Denmark.
Keisuke Honda again starts in an advanced role between midfield and attack, and the CSKA Moscow player is 6/1 to open the scoring.
The confirmed starting line-ups are:
Paraguay: Villar (Captain); Bonet, Alcaraz, Da Silva, Morel; Riveros, Ortigoza, Vera; Benitez, Barrios, Santa Cruz
Japan: Kawashima; Abe, Tulio, Nagatomo, Komano; Nakazawa, Endo, Matsui, Hasebe (Captain), Honda; Okubo
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