Paraguay’s historic run to the World Cup quarterfinals is being lived and breathed by Salvador Cabanas, their star striker who had to miss the finals after being shot in the head in January.
However, the 29-year-old Mexico-based star — who was shot by a drug dealer in the public toilet of a bar in Mexico on January 25 — is very much on the minds of his teammates in South Africa, who dedicate every match to the man who was their leading scorer in the qualifying phase with six goals.
According to his agent, though, Cabanas, who is continuing his recuperation in a clinic near to Buenos Aires, found the tension almost too much to bear as their last-16 clash with Japan went to penalties after the match finished 0-0.
“Cabanas was crying, and jumping around,” revealed Jose Maria Gonzalez.
“He was very excited during the penalty shootout,” he added.
The tragic shooting of Cabanas, which prompted 20,000 fans dressed in the national team strip to gather in the national stadium in Asuncion to pray for him, has not helped the Paraguayan strikers to find their range as his absence has been keenly felt with none of their paltry return of three goals so far coming from the forwards.
His teammates — who take on European champions Spain in their quarterfinal on Saturday — have kept in regular contact with him.
“We are also playing for him (Cabanas),” said midfielder Cristian Riveros.
“We call him regularly in his room, and he is doing well.”
Paraguay’s Argentinian coach Gerardo Martino said that he and the squad wanted to go as far as possible as a tribute to him.
— AFP