Brazil defeat Paraguay in Asunción

Playing in green Brazil competed a hard-fought 32-21 away victory over Paraguay in Asunción this afternoon. Superior fitness and skill levels saw the visitors returning home with a win which sends Paraguay into repechage against the winner of this year’s South American ‘B’ Championship.

Winger Sergio Alvarenga had three early opportunities in the opening eight minutes. His first two penalty shots at goal were wide while his third, from relatively in front, hit the upright.

Moisés Duque opened the scoring in the 9th minute with a well-taken drop goal from Brazil’s first possession in the Paraguayan half. The home side’s early missed penalties were further compounded three minutes later when fullback Daniel Sancery crossed for the game’s opening try.

The Franco-Brazilian went over for a superb solo effort, brushing off tacklers as he burst down the left sideline to score. Four minutes later it was the turn of Lucas Muller, the Desterro winger ran from inside his own half showing great speed to score under the posts. With Duque’s conversion Brazil was 15-0 up after 18 minutes.

Paraguay responded with Alvarenga landing his fourth attempt at goal. It brought an end to the opening quarter and saw Los Yakarés subsequently enjoying a period of possession in Os Tupis half. 29 minutes in Paraguay were rewarded with Alvarenga landing a straightforward penalty.

Brazil’s disciplinary problems continued with Paraguay finding themselves quickly back in the Brazilian half. Having come close to score only to knock-on Paraguay further narrowed the deficit with Alvarenga making it a 15-9 scoreline just before the interval.

Paraguay’s strong comeback continued with prop Álvaro Rojas crossing for a 44th minute try. With the conversion on target Los Yakarés went 16-15 up. A frightened Brazil responded three minutes later though Duque. His penalty attempt returning the lead to os Tupis.

Following a scrappy period of play from both teams Felipe Sancery gave Brazil a clear advantage. The outside center combined with Duque to go over for a 59th minute score, giving Brazil a nine point lead.

The result was sealed twelve minutes later. From a set piece move captain João Luiz da Ros crossed for a well-taken try. It gave the visitors twice as many points as the hosts, effectively securing the result.

Not wanting to give up Paraguay hit back through Leonardo Glizt. The wing forward broke off a rolling maul to go over for Los Yakarés second try. The attempted conversion hit the posts, summing up the team’s goal-kicking for the afternoon.

 

SCORING

PARAGUAY 21
Tries – Á. Rojas, L. Glizt
Cons – S. Alvarenga
Pens – S. Alvarenga 3

BRAZIL 32
Tries – D. Sancery, L. Muller, F. Sancery, J. da Ros
Cons – M. Duque 3
Pens – M. Duque
Drop goal – M. Duque

 

TEAMS

PARAGUAY
1 Emilio Gorostiaga, 2 Omara Rojas, 3 Álvaro Rojas, 4 Alejandro Montiel, 5 Carlos Plate, 6 Leonardo Glizt, 7 Martín Ortíz, 8 Miguel Jara, 9 Gonzalo Bareiro, 10 Gerard Cuttier, 11 Diego Argaña, 12 Mateo Arévalo, 13 Carlos Bareiro, 14 Sergio Alvarenga, 15 Rodrigo Da Rosa

Replacements: 16 Juan Manuel Gavigán, 17 Juan Inglés, 18 Enrique Cañiza, 19 Alvaro Báez, 20 Horacio Ocampos, 21 Eymar Brizuela, 22 Pablo Espínola, 23 Miguel Careaga

BRAZIL
1 Lucas Abud, 2 Yan Rosetti, 3 Wilton Rebolo, 4 Cléber Dias, 5 Diego López, 6 Arthur Bergo, 7 João Luiz da Ros, 8 Nick Smith, 9 Beukes Cremer, 10 Moisés Duque, 11 Stefano Giantorno, 12 Laurent Bourda-Couhet, 13 Felipe Sancery, 14 Lucas Muller, 15 Daniel Sancery

Replacements: 16 Luan Almeida, 17 Caíque Silva, 18 Jonatas Paulo, 19 Gabriel Paganini, 20 Mark Jackson, 21 Mateus Estrela, 22 Matheus Cruz, 23 Guilherme Coghetto