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By Matt Barlow reports from Pretoria
Dying hope: Japan in agony as lucky charm Yuichi Komano misses his penalty and Oscar Cardozo scores the winnerParaguay coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino collapsed in his seat and cried like a baby.
Not tears of boredom at such a turgid spectacle but of pure joy as the Argentinian led his adopted nation to their first World Cup quarter-final.
Paraguay made it four South American teams in the last eight, from just five qualifiers, but they needed the tournament’s first penalty shoot-out to kill off Japan and it was Oscar Cardozo, a familiar name on Merseyside this season, who claimed the winning penalty.
Cardozo scored three for Benfica against Liverpool in their Europa League quarter-final, including two penalties in the first leg.
And he scored twice in a minute in a 5-0 destruction of Everton in Lisbon earlier in the campaign. For every shoot-out hero, however, there is a villain, so spare a thought for Japan’s Yuichi Komano — a player who has endured a series of harsh setbacks in his career.
Komano suffered thrombosis while recovering in hospital from a cruciate ligament injury, then broke his collarbone before an eye complaint almost made him blind.
Still running: Parauguay players celebrate after Cardozo's crucial penalty booked their place in the last eightAfter overcoming his troubles, Komano was fondly named ‘Good Luck’ by fans, but last night his fortunes turned.
The penalty shoot-out was 3-2 to Paraguay when he stepped up. His shot struck the bar and flew into the sky.
Nelson Valdez and Keisuke Honda both found the net before Cardozo coolly completed the win, firing past goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima, who had saved a penalty from Frank Lampard in a friendly last month and from Jon Dahl Tomasson in the group stage.
As Komano broke down on the pitch, manager Takeshi Okada strode solemnly out to console him.
Gutted: Japan's Komano looks to the sky after his penalty hits the crossbar and hands Paraguay the advantageMartino was an emotional wreck too, removing his glasses to dry his eyes as he was mobbed by staff and players.
‘Everyone knows it is unfair to settle a game like this,’ said Martino.
‘When you make it all the way to the shoot-out you’ve made a huge effort and the tension is released, so many things go through your mind. That was the reason for the tears.’
Martino, a former Argentina player, won the Paraguay title four times before transforming the national team over the last three years.
Denied: Lucas Barrios (centre) can't find a way past Marcus Tulio Tanaka (left) and Eiji Kawashima‘We celebrate with the rest of Paraguay,’ said Martino.
‘Let them enjoy it. The players made a huge effort. This is a success.
‘We know we are in the best eight in the world. We were just lucky in the shoot-out.
We had solidarity, enthusiasm and will to make it to the history books.’
Paraguay deserved to win, dominating possession over 120 goalless minutes and finishing strong in extra-time.
So close: Justo Villar is beaten by Daisuke Matsui but the bar saves the Paraguay keeperJapan risked little but had their chances to seize the lead. Daisuke Matsui smashed a 30-yarder against the bar in the first half and CSKA Moscow striker Honda missed a terrific opportunity, firing wide from the edge of the penalty area before the break.
Roque Santa Cruz screwed Paraguay’s best chance wide from eight yards. ‘I have no regrets about how we played,’ said Japan boss Okada.
‘The players were wonderful. They represented Japan and Asia as a whole.’ He also hinted he may no longer be in charge by the next World Cup.
There is a rumour he intends to become a farmer.
CORRECTING ID OF PARAGUAY PLAYER Japan's defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka (R) deflects a ball next to Paraguay's striker Lucas Barrios (L) and Japan's defender Yuji Nakazawa during the 2010 World Cup round of 16 football match Paraguay vs. Japan on June 29, 2010 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane/Pretoria.
Paraguay's Roque Santa Cruz, second from left, and Paraguay's Paulo Da Silva, second from right in front, try to score a goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Paraguay and Japan at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, June 29, 2010.
Paraguay's Paulo da Silva goes in for a tackle on Japan's Keisuke Honda during their 2010 World Cup second round soccer match at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria June 29, 2010.
Paraguay players, front row from left, Carlos Bonet, Nestor Ortigoza, Cristian Riveros, Claudio Morel, Edgar Benitez, Lucas Barrios, back row from left, Enrique Vera, goalkeeper Justo Villar, Antolin Alcaraz, Roque Santa Cruz, and Paulo Da Silva pose for a team photo before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Paraguay and Japan at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, June 29, 2010.
Paraguay's Edgar Benitez (R) and Cristian Riveros (16) fall during the 2010 World Cup second round soccer match against Japan at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria June 29, 2010.
Japan's national soccer team poses for a photo at a 2010 World Cup second round soccer match against Paraguay at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria June 29, 2010. Pictured are (front L-R) Japan's Makoto Hasebe, Yuto Nagatomo, Yasuhito Endo, Yuichi Komano, Yoshito Okubo, Daisuke Matsui, (rear L-R) Yuki Abe, Yuji Nakazawa, goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima, Tulio and Keisuke Honda.
Paraguay's team huddles before their 2010 World Cup second round soccer match against Japan at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria June 29, 2010.
Japan supporters with Japan's national flag painted on their cheeks are pictured before the 2010 World Cup round of 16 match Paraguay versus Japan on June 29, 2010 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
A Japan's fan, with his face painted, waits for the start of the 2010 World Cup second round soccer match between Japan and Paraguay at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria June 29, 2010.
Japan's Keisuke Honda (4th L) warms up with team mates before the 2010 World Cup second round soccer match between Paraguay and Japan at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria June 29, 2010[endtext]