Hurt for one World Cup and on the bench for another, Villar shines in third opportunity

Paraguay goalie making up for lost time at WCup

PRETORIA, South Africa — After spending one World Cup on the bench and all but seven minutes of another on the sidelines with an injury, Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar is making quite an impression with his third chance.

Paraguay conceded just one goal in its first four games at the World Cup, where it has reached the quarterfinals for the first time. It plays European champion Spain on Saturday in Johannesburg.

“This is an unforgettable moment,” said Villar, who turned 33 on Wednesday. “It’s been an impossible birthday to match because we made it through to the quarterfinals.

“It’s the best thing that has happened to me in my life. I can’t be anything but very happy.”

As the third-choice goalkeeper in 2002, Villar watched from the bench as Paraguay lost in the second round. Four years ago, he was injured early in Paraguay’s first group game against England and didn’t play the rest of the tournament.

“We want to keep fighting and giving people something to talk about, and this Saturday is a huge opportunity to keep going along this path,” Villar said. “This is not any old game, it’s a World Cup at the knockout stage against a rival of the quality of Spain, and of course we are excited by the challenge.”

Paraguay’s defense will be tested against Spain’s incisive passing and an attack led by David Villa, whose four goals ties him for most at the tournament with Argentina’s Gonzalo Higuain and Slovakia’s Robert Vittek.

“We can’t leave spaces because they have great touch and if you give them space they will make fun of you. We have to stick to our football of hard work and tactics.” Villar said. “It’s going to be a good match where you will see two types of football. One side trying to attack skillfully while we try to stop them and then try to take advantage of our chances.”

Paraguay’s weak spot is up front. Despite featuring Europe-based attackers such as Roque Santa Cruz, Nelson Haedo Valdez and Lucas Barrios, none has scored so far.

The side’s three goals have come from defender Antolin Alcaraz and midfielders Cristian Riveros and Enrique Vera.

“It’s not a problem. If the attackers don’t get good passes then they can’t work wonders. Besides, in our system they spend a lot of time pressuring the opposition defense,” Villar said. “This is a team game, and in our team everybody fights equally and everybody celebrates a goal because we score them together.”