Paraguay national football team coach Gustavo Alfaro said that today's defeat to the USA at the start of the World Cup was a painful lesson because the opponent was much better in all segments of the game.
"At the World Cup you have to put emotions aside. What's important - decision-making, concentration, details. The US won deservedly and clearly. They outplayed us tactically, technically and physically," Alfaro said, according to British media.
Paraguay's football team lost to the USA 1:4 today in the first round of Group D at the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Paraguay qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 16 years, and the coach said that today's defeat highlighted the gap the team must close in order to compete at the highest level.
"There are levels where defensive organization, determination and effort are not enough. There are things we have to introduce and understand that are necessary if we want to progress in this competition," stated the 63-year-old Argentine coach.
He assessed that despite the defeat, the team still has a chance to advance to the knockout stage.
"We have to concentrate on winning the points needed for qualification. Today the World Cup started for us, it didn't end today," Alfaro added.
In the second round, Paraguay will play against Turkey on June 20th, and six days later against Australia.
"As long as we have one minute left, we will continue to fight to advance," said Alfaro.
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