Preview: Paraguay – Japan

(GSM) – Looking to continue the dominance of South American sides in this World Cup, Paraguay will seek a quarter-final berth on Tuesday afternoon when they face Japan in the round of 16 in Pretoria.

Paraguay got to this point as Group F winners without losing a match, though they looked a bit shaky in draws with Italy and New Zealand.

Japan impressed at times in their group as they finished second in Group E behind the Netherlands thanks to wins over Denmark and Cameroon.

Both sides will be confident going into Tuesday’s match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, the first meeting since the sides last met in a 0-0 draw in a 2008 friendly.

Víctor Cáceres will be missed by Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino, as the starter is banned for picking up two bookings in the group stage. Otherwise, it should be a full-strength Paraguay side.

Japan have no such bans to worry themselves with, and coach Takeshi Okada will likely name the same starting XI that he held for each of the first three games – the only side in the tournament to name the same team three times.

Those sitting on a card still for Paraguay are Enrique Vera and Roque Santa Cruz.

Yuki Abe, Yuto Nagatomo and Yasuhito Endo are on yellow cards for Japan.