Group B
Paraguay 2-0 Trinidad & Tobago

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Paraguay regained a modicum of pride after a disappointing World Cup campaign when they overcame a dogged Trinidad & Tobago in their final group game.

The 2-0 win was harsh on the T& T who had contributed fully to an entertaining match in Kaiserslautern.

Veteran skipper Carlos Gamarra, 35, was making his 110th and final appearance for Paraguay in their final group game. But Carlos Bonet (hamstring) was out and was be replaced by Julio Dos Santos, while midfielder Jorge Nunez passed a late fitness test.

Shaka Hislop made way for Kelvin Jack in the Trinidad and Tobago goal after Jack recovered back from injury. Defender Avery John also returned having served a ban and replaced Cyd Gray, who suffered a leg injury against England.

Trinidad & Tobago went into their final group game needing a win, and England to beat the Swedes, for any chance of going through on goal difference. However, despite a brave effort they came up short and the defeat sees them finish bottom of Group B.

A frantic opening saw Jack called into action with a diving left-handed save to deny Roque Santa Cruz’s header.

Trinidad &Tobago had chances of their own though and Cornell Glen forced Aldo Bobadillo to parry and Aurtis Whitley fired a shot just over.

However, shortly afterwards, Leo Beenhakker’s team’s chance of qualifying received a huge setback when their opponents went ahead with an own goal.

Paraguay took the lead when Roberto Acuna turned the ball into the box, Julio Dos Santos got a head on it and so did Brent Sancho for an own goal.

Paraguay, as expected given their pedigree, began to dominate and Denis Canizas thought he had given the South American side the lead when he shot under Jack 10 minutes later, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

Denzil Theobald also cleared off the line from Carlos Parades, as Paraguay went in search of the second goal that would seal the points.

Nonetheless, after the break the Caribbean side continued to force the pace, and substitute Evans Wise went close with a shot that rifled into the side netting. It was one of a number of chances that fell to Beenhakker’s side after the break and sadly for the World Cup rookies, they were to pay for their poor finishing.

With five minutes remaining, Cuevas combined for a neat one-two with Santa Cruz before slotting home to seal the points.

Teams:
Paraguay: Bobadilla, Nunez, Gamarra, Caceres, Caniza, Barreto, Acuna, Paredes, Dos Santos, Santa Cruz, Valdez.

Subs used: Cuevas (for Valdez), Manzur 78 (for Caceres), Da Silva 88 (for Caniza).

Bookings: Paredes 30, Dos Santos 55.

Trinidad & Tobago: Jack, Avery John, Sancho, Lawrence, Birchall, Whitley, Edwards, Theobald, Glen, Stern John, Yorke.

Subs used: Jones 31 (for Avery John), Wise 41 (for Glen), Latapy 66 (for Whitley)

Bookings: Sancho 45, Whitley 49.

Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy).

Scorers:
Paraguay: Sancho og 25, Cuevas.

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