Paraguayan coach wary of Japan's counter-attack, dead-ball skills

London, Jun 28 (ANI): Japan's counter-attacking and dead-ball skills are the two biggest dangers for the Paraguayan side if they are to progress through to the quarterfinals.

Paraguay were surprise winners of Group F following the exit of defending champions Italy, and tomorrow find Japan standing between them and a first-ever place in the last eight.

Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino said: "Fundamentally they are a team who get back into their defensive positions very well, using a back-line of four and practically five midfielders, with (Keisuke) Honda generally up front."

"When they get the ball they come out very quickly on the counter-attack, this is what we have to be careful of most, the fast breaks," The Mirror quoted him, as saying.

"When they find space they get men forward into attack and this is the most important issue to be careful about," he said.

"And obviously from what we saw the other day, we need to try not to concede fouls near the area," added Martino, referring to the free kicks scored by Honda and Yasuhito Endo against Denmark. (ANI)