Paraguay coach Gustavo Morinigo has confirmed that the upcoming friendly against Japan will witness goalkeeper Justo Villar making his final appearance for the national team. Even though Paraguay will be focused more on trying to bring to the task cohesion within a team of young faces, there was a lot of focus on Villar coming into the game. The goalkeeper was unable to control his tears when he was asked questions by the journalist. The goalkeeper will turn 41 next month and he has represented Paraguay in 119 matches – across eight Copa America tournaments and three world cups.
Villar’s best achievement with the national team was reaching the latter stages of the World Cup 2010. Paraguay conceded only two goals throughout the tournament in order to end up reaching the quarter-finals. Villar came up with acknowledgement of Morinigo and his gratefulness to offer a place in the starting line-up in this game.
This offers the 41-year-old a great way to provide a send off to his international career. Paraguay will approach the game with a sense of disappointment since the national team will not be participating in the upcoming World Cup while Japan will be treating this game as a preparation for the upcoming competition.
Some of the new additions to the Paraguay team happen to be Alejandro Romero Gamarra, who represents New York Red Bulls in the MLS. “It’s a feeling that’s a little bit difficult. It’s 19 years I’ve been on the national team, with good times and bad, with marvellous people and growing in terms of football,” said Villar. “He’s making goals, he’s a figure on his team. He’s a player who makes a difference on his club and deserves an opportunity,” said Morinigo about the chance being given to Gamarra. Meanwhile, there is also confusion surrounding the future of the manager, who is expected to step down after this match.