Heat will be to Paraguay's advantage against France, says coach

PHILADELPHIA, July 3 : Paraguay manager Gustavo Alfaro suggested the extreme heat predicted for Saturday's World Cup round-of-16 match against heavily favoured France could help his side, but only so much.

High temperatures around 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius) with significant humidity are forecast for the Mid-Atlantic city, with the highs coming an hour or two before the 5 p.m. ET scheduled kickoff.

Paraguay play their home qualifiers in the capital of Asuncion, where average summer highs rise into the low 90s.

"We are used to the heat. Yes, we are," Alfaro said on Friday. "However, you suffer the heat. What knockout match do you have in Paraguay at five in the afternoon? None. Maybe it happened once and there was a defeat. You don't play at that time."

He also noted it wouldn't be the same as Mexico's advantage playing at high altitude, conditions that Mexico have trained in for weeks.

"Even though you might have this memory, physical memory of understanding what happens with high altitude (or) what happens with heat, it's different from what happens when you're there," he said.

"But the heat will affect both teams. And high altitude affects both teams, yes. But those that have a slight advantage are the ones that were able to prepare in that situation."

Paraguay pulled off their round-of-32 shock over Germany without centre back Omar Alderete, who picked up a knee injury in their final group-stage match against Australia.

Alfaro said Alderete has not yet returned to full team training, but did not rule him out.

"Omar worked well yesterday, but he didn't do anything on the field," Alfaro said. "He did tough physical work. He responded well to the work. We'll see today at our training to see how he responds...

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