Heat can help Paraguay against France in the World Cup, says coach

Paraguay's coach, Gustavo Alfaro, stated that the extreme heat predicted for this Saturday's duel against France, in the round of 16 of the World Cup, could favor his team to a certain extent, but stressed that the weather conditions will not be decisive for the result.

The forecast indicates temperatures close to 38°C, with high humidity, in the city of Philadelphia. The heat peak should occur one or two hours before the start of the match, scheduled for 5pm local time.

Paraguay plays its qualifying matches in Asunción, where average summer temperatures often exceed 30°C.

"We are used to the heat. Yes, we are. But you suffer from the heat," Alfaro said this Friday (3), through an interpreter. "What knockout game in Paraguay is played at five in the afternoon? None. Maybe it happened once and ended in defeat. We don't play at that time."

The coach also highlighted that the situation is different from the advantage that Mexico usually has when operating at high altitudes, a condition for which its players prepare for weeks.

"Even if you have this physical memory of what happens at altitude or in the heat, it's different when you're actually there," he said.

"But the heat will affect both teams. Just as the altitude affects both teams. The small advantage goes to whoever managed to prepare in these conditions."

Doubt in defense
Paraguay surprised by eliminating Germany in the previous phase without defender Omar Alderete, who suffered a knee injury during the last match of the group stage, against Australia.

Alfaro stated that the defender has not yet returned to training with the rest of the squad, but did not rule out his participation.

"Omar worked well yesterday, but he hasn't been on the field yet. He did intense physical work and responded well. Let's evaluate how he reacts in training today.

"Let's see if he can start playing or enter during the match. He really wants to be on the field. He said to me: 'Professor, I don't want to be left out of this game'."

"We will give everything"
Although the victory over Germany, on Monday (29), was celebrated with a national holiday in Paraguay, experienced defender Junior Alonso assured that the team remains focused to face France.

"We worked hard and made countless sacrifices, both professionally and in our personal lives, because our dream was to put Paraguay in a World Cup," he said.

"Regardless of the result against Germany, we would not feel defeated because we did everything humanly possible to achieve that victory, and we did.

"Against France it will be no different, because we have the same mentality. We know what we are capable of. The only promise we can make to the Paraguayan people is that we will leave everything on the field.

"We hope that God is by our side and that we get the result we want. But, if that doesn't happen, we will have a clear conscience because we prepare every day to get here, even after the wear and tear we had in the game against Germany."

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Source: CNN