Paraguay taste the physical game

OSLO, Norway -- Paraguay warmed up for next month's World Cup opener against England with a 2-2 draw against physical Norway in Oslo on Wednesday.

Frode Johnsen put the home side in front on 21 minutes but captain Carlos Gamarra, in his 105th game for his country, headed the equalizer for the South Americans three minutes into the second half.

Nelson Haedo Valdez put Paraguay in front six minutes later but Rosenborg Trondheim's Johnsen equalised after 59 minutes with another header.

Paraguay coach Anibal Ruiz was happy with the performance and said it was good test against north European opponents.

"In South America we are not used to this strong physical football, the type that Sweden and England will play," he said.

Striker Roque Santa Cruz did not play because he is still recuperating after damaging his knee playing for Bayern Munich in October.

Earlier Ruiz said Santa Cruz would not play against England on June 10 in Frankfurt, but should be fit to play in the second match against Sweden.

"We have other options," Ruiz told Paraguay TV station Canal 13. "We want Roque to be 100 percent well."

Ruiz said Santa Cruz, who's had two operations on his right knee in the last 18 months, will be missed.

"The ideal thing is to have Roque on the team, because of his speed, his short-distance attacks and mid-range shots," Ruiz said.

Ruiz nominated Jose Cardozo, Salvador Cabanas and Nelson Cuevas as possible replacements.

Paraguay are competing in their third straight World Cup finals having been eliminated in 1998 by champions France and in 2002 by runners-up Germany.

Their final Group B game is against Trinidad and Tobago in Kaiserslautern on June 20.

Story Tools

Click Here to try 4 Free Trial Issues of Time!

Home Page Get up-to-the minute news from CNN CNN.com gives you the latest stories and video from the around the world, with in-depth coverage of U.S. news, politics, entertainment, health, crime, tech and more.

Home Page Get up-to-the minute news from CNN CNN.com gives you the latest stories and video from the around the world, with in-depth coverage of U.S. news, politics, entertainment, health, crime, tech and more.