PARAGUAY: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2010 - Fans react to World Cup opening draw against Italy

Record ID: 449528

  • Title: PARAGUAY: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2010 - Fans react to World Cup opening draw against Italy
  • Date: 15th June 2010
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) A YOUNG PARAGUAY FAN, SAYING: "It was really hard-fought. It could have gone either way. But we played really well. And we were playing against the last world champions. A draw seems fair to me."
  • Embargoed: 30th June 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Paraguay
  • Country: Paraguay
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVABWCU2K8DVO3I597XVOO7W5FL
  • Story Text: The Paraguayan World Cup soccer squad made its 2010 World Cup debut on Monday (June 14) with a surprising 1-1 draw against current champion Italy.
    Paraguay scored first lifting the spirits of fans back home in Asuncion who cheered on their team while watching the game through bar windows, or filed into a stadium to watch Paraguay on the jumbo screen, went to local restaurants or watched from the comfort of their homes.
    Italy should be Paraguay's most difficult match in the first round of play in Group F.
    Most fans here thought holding mighty Italy, who won the last World Cup, was a good sign of things to come and something to be proud of.
    "At the start of the game we were just there. But then we started to show the Italians that we are the best and we are going to be the champions," said Paraguay fan, Pedro Gutierrez.
    "We played really well. We played against the word champions… it is impossible," said fan, Nora Martinez.
    Defender Antolin Alcaraz launched Paraguay to a 1-0 lead at the 39th minute sending fans here into a frenzy.
    "Antolin Alvarez, who scored the goal is impressive because hardly anyone knew him, but really he has a lot of experience in Europe. He did well," said Paraguay fan Angek Barrientos.
    Scoring against their toughest rival opens a few doors for Paraguay to advance, but they still have to prove themselves against Slovakia and New Zealand who round out the group.
    But this young Paraguay supporter wanted to relish in the moment and was proud of what his team brought to the field.
    "It was really hard-fought. It could have gone either way. But we played really well. And we were playing against the last world champions. A draw seems fair to me."
    Paraguay will face Slovakia on June 20.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Footage contains identifiable children: users must ensure that they comply with local laws and regulations governing the publishing of this material.
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