ASUNCION, March 11 (Xinhua) — Paraguay boss Guillermo Barros Schelotto on Friday called up uncapped midfielder Matias Galarza for World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Peru.
Galarza has been in impressive form for Brazil’s Vasco da Gama, whom he joined last year from Olimpia.
The 20-year-old has previously represented his country at under-15 and under-17 levels.
As expected, Barros Schelotto also named twin brothers Oscar and Angel Romero, Roberto Fernandez, Andres Cubas, Sebastian Ferreira, and Blas Riveros in a squad of 19 foreign-based players.
The Argentine manager is expected to complement his squad with players from Paraguayan clubs in the coming days.
Paraguay will meet Ecuador in Asuncion on March 24 and Peru in Lima five days later.
Barros Schelotto’s men are currently ninth in the 10-team South American zone standings and are out of contention for a World Cup spot in Qatar later this year.
Following is the preliminary Paraguay squad:
Goalkeepers: Antony Silva, Roberto Junior Fernandez, Angel Gonzalez.
Defenders: Gustavo Gomez, Robert Rojas, Junior Alonso, Fabian Balbuena, Omar Alderete, Blas Riveros.
Midfielders: Richard Sanchez, Andres Cubas, Jose Florentin, Mathias Villasanti, Oscar Romero, Matias Galarza, Miguel Almiron, Jesus Medina.
Forwards: Sebastian Ferreira, Angel Romero.
