Sports
Paraguay’s Gustavo Alfaro Prepares for Japan Friendly in Osaka
OSAKA, Japan — Paraguay‘s national football team, led by coach Gustavo Alfaro, is set to face Japan this Friday, October 10, at the Panasonic Stadium. This match is part of FIFA-sanctioned events aimed at preparing for the World Cup.
During a press conference at the stadium, Alfaro discussed the importance of such high-level matches. “We choose these games for their level, hierarchy, and the complexity of the opponents. If we want to perform well in the World Cup, we must compete against teams above our level,” he emphasized.
Alfaro noted that both Japan and South Korea rank higher in the FIFA standings and are considered among the best teams in the world. “Facing Japan is very important. It is a prestigious and challenging selection. Our focus is on preparing for the next World Cup. Experiencing discomfort, long distances, or tough situations on the field without much time to work, is part of the process we need to go through to arrive prepared,” he added.
The match is scheduled for 7:20 AM Paraguay time. “I find it beneficial to compete against superior teams that demand more from us to be in the best shape for the World Cup,” Alfaro said. He also mentioned that he accepted matches against the United States and Mexico, and has requested games against a European and an African team in March.
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In other news, 22-year-old Luca Kmet expressed his disappointment on social media after Paraguay’s exit from the Under-20 World Cup. Despite scoring three goals and providing two assists during the South American Championship, Kmet did not make the final squad for the tournament.
Coach Antolín Alcaraz stated that all players had the opportunity to prove themselves during training cycles, but Kmet’s limited playtime at his club affected his selection.
As the Paraguayan team prepares to confront Japan, Alfaro has named Diego González, of Atlas in Mexico, as a surprise inclusion to replace Ramón Sosa. The starting XI also includes Damián Bobadilla and Miguel Almirón, aiming to maximize the team’s offensive potential.
