Nestory Irankunda, Lucas Herrington and Cristian Volpato have each been named to start for the Socceroos in Friday’s crucial World Cup game against Paraguay.
Having started on bench for last week’s loss to co-hosts United States, Irankunda, Volpato and Herrington return to the starting XI for Australia’s final group-stage match in Santa Clara.
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SOCCEROOS XI
Patrick Beach, Jordan Bos, Alessandro Circati, Harry Souttar, Lucas Herrington, Aziz Behich, Aiden O’Neill, Jackson Irvine, Connor Metcalfe, Cristian Volpato, Nestory Irankunda
Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro, mreanwhile believes his side is due for some help from above ahead of taking on the Australia in Santa Clara, California in their decisive World Cup clash. Live from 12pm AEST!
Speaking to reporters at the home of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers on the eve of their crucial Group D clash, Alfaro said it was time for “divine justice” as Paraguay chased back-to-back World Cup wins for the first time in their history.
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“You know, we believe in divine justice, and I think at some point that needs to favour us,” he said.
The call to the heavens draws similarities to Uruguay star Álvaro Recoba’s “divine right” comment before the famous intercontinental playoff in Sydney in 2005 that the South American nation lost on penalties.
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Paraguay do not have the same glittering history as their two-time World Cup winning neighbours.
But after an upset 1-0 victory against Turkiye, Alfaro’s side kept their tournament alive following a 4-1 thrashing by co-hosts the USA in their opening game.
A Socceroos win, or a draw, will put Australia automatically through to the Round of 32, while Paraguay need to win to nab second place in the group.
The third-place finisher will face an anxious wait to see if they are one of the eight best third place teams as results come in from other groups.
“It’s a final for us,” Alfaro said. “There’s no tomorrow for us. … I tell my players, we need to live this match as if it were the last one we play.”
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Paraguay’s plea to the heavens may be an attempt to overcome Australia’s serious height advantage.
The likes of towering skipper Harry Souttar and fellow centre back Alessandro Circati are set to control the air against the Paraguayans.