Santa Cruz Paraguay Can Win Copa America

PARAGUAY HEAD into their copa America opener against Ecuador on sunday with striker Roque Santa Cruz believing they can go all the way in the competion. Brazil, who have won four of the last five eitions of the event, and hosts Argentina are the favourites, but Paraguay Copa America champiom in 1953 and 1979 will hope to give the two South American powerhouses something to think about as they try to build on their showing at last year's World Cup. In South Africa, Paraguay reached the last eight their best showing in the tournament before falling to Spain late goal by Villa. Santa Cruz said: What we're trying to do is continue growing and we've reached a moment where the best way to do that is to give paraguay another title which we did last in 1979 and we believe that right now as a group we have the ability to be champions again. Coach Gerardo Martino, whose side have been drawn in Group B alongside champions Brazil, Venezuela and Ecuador; said: Hopef ully we will be candidates to win the event.We have come here with the best intentions. Our game on sunday against Ecuador was not a bad start despite we drew the match the good thing is that Brazil were also held to a 0-0 tie by Venezuela. Our game against Brazil on the 9th of this month will be a hard one i hope we win to be in the game. Striker Segundo Castillo added It is a very short tournament where there is no room for error. It is a big hurdle to get throug the first phase if we cant win i think Ecuador can do it. Then at the least we will try not to lose.