Paraguay chief demands some action
YPANE, Paraguay (Reuters) -- Paraguay coach Anibal Ruiz has appealed for an end to the fixture chaos hindering South American teams playing in this week's World Cup qualifiers.
Ruiz said he would only be able to hold two 40-minute training sessions with his full squad before facing Brazil in the most important tie of his team's campaign.
Paraguay, who top the South American qualifying with nine points from three games, face the world champions, who are third with eight, on Wednesday.
"They need to sit down and look for solutions to this," he told reporters at Paraguay's training camp west of Asuncion.
Asked if he thought it would be possible for players to perform at their best, he said: "I don't think so.
"But it's not what we are thinking that counts. This is the situation and we have to do our best."
Like all the South American teams in this week's matches, Paraguay and Brazil have been entitled to get their players together just 48 hours before kickoff.
Paraguay have upset Brazil twice in the last four years and also qualified for the Olympic Games at their expense.
But Uruguayan-born Ruiz said: "There's no place for the past in football. The only things that count are the present and the future.
"We are very respectful of Brazil, for their history and for their great players. But we have to believe we are capable of winning."
Midfielder Delio Toledo said the secret of beating Brazil was to not let them settle into their rhythm.
"We respect them but we must not be afraid. Playing against Brazil is a great motivation. It's something every player wants a chance to do.
"You have to mark them very closely, very strongly. You mustn't let them think."
