Paraguay title race down to wire

After 126 games that have seen 353 goals and 55 red cards, the final round of the 2011 Clausura in Paraguay has arrived.

Sunday’s focus is on bitter rivals Olimpia and Cerro Porteno who are both 90 minutes away from the league title.

Olimpia lead by one point meaning Cerro must beat Sol de America and hope the Decano lose or draw, while their rivals take on Rubio Nu.

For the second time this year Olimpia take part in a final-day showdown, and after losing out to Nacional in the Apertura the Asuncion giants will be desperate to make amends.

Gerardo Pelusso’s men seem to be in the driving seat as Olimpia look for their first trophy in 11 years. However, they faced a frantic battle to keep the top spot at Tacuary last Sunday.

Having coasted to a 2-0 lead, and with Francisco Ocampo’s side reduced to 10-men, it seemed the final half-hour would be a formality.

Incredibly though, Tacuary pulled two goals back and, knowing that Cerro were winning 5-1, it seemed that Olimpia had thrown away their title hopes.

But with five minutes remaining Colombian defender Francisco Najera, often criticised by fans, thumped home a header.

The Tacuary players were not so happy, however, as shown by the angry scenes after the final whistle as the referee was whisked away by riot police.

The heat has certainly been on this week in the build-up to Sunday’s deciders, with both camps firing accusations at each other.

Olimpia president Marcelo Recanate, never one to hold his tongue, claimed that Cerro’s hapless rivals General Caballero had thrown their game in return for a US$15,000 bribe.

This allegation has prompted General’s president Hugo Bogado to speak to his lawyers

Cerro’s owner, Juan Jose Zapag, has not held back either.

He launched a stunning attack on the outside forces that had acted in favour of their title rivals.

“Olimpia has arrived here (top of the league) with the help of other people” said Zapag, before adding that ‘black hands’ have ensured refereeing errors were prearranged.

The players, however, are only focused on events on the pitch. Olimpia striker Luis Caballero affirmed that “winning the Clausura is our obligation for the Olimpia fans that have suffered for years without a title”.

Fredy Bareiro, joint top scorer in the Clausura with 12 goals for Cerro Porteno, believes “doing the lap of honour is the best thing that can happen to a footballer”, adding that “the objective is to be champion and that way enter into the club’s history forever”.

Cerro take on much-improved Sol de America in Luque, while Olimpia and Rubio Nu lock horns at the national stadium in the heart of the capital Asuncion.

While Mario Grana’s men have a good record against their rivals, winning four of the past five, Humberto Ovelar’s side have proved somewhat of a bogey team for Olimpia – winning twice and drawing twice in the past five games.