On Thursday, March 25, 1971, 51 years ago, at the then Saxony stadium, the Paraguayan youth team tied 1-1 with Uruguay and reached the title of the V Youth of America tournament undefeated.
That coronation more than half a century ago acquires more value considering that it is so far the only one achieved in that category, which is currently called South American Sub 20.
The tournament took place entirely in the La Liga stadium, today quite rightly called Defensores del Chaco. It began on March 1 and concluded that glorious night of the Guarani consecration.
In the first phase, the Albirrojita joined Group B and the results were victories against Bolivia (3-1) and Uruguay (2-0) and a draw against Chile (1-1). The Guarani team qualified first in their key and in the semifinals they beat Peru (3-1). In the other semifinal, Uruguay defeated Argentina, 2-1.
In the final, Paraguay was equal enough to make the Olympic return since it arrived with a better goal difference than the Charrúas.
That unforgettable March 25, 1971, the 1-1 draw with Roberto Cino’s memorable goal almost at the end of the game gave our country the only title won so far in the Under 20 category.
That youth team was made up of players who, for the most part, marked an era in our football; Sixto Lionel Bareiro, José de la Cruz Benítez, Ángel Cíbils, Alicio Solalinde, Pablo González, Pedro Rodríguez, Eudoro Ríos, Sergio González, Secundino Aifuch, Pedro Medina, Juvencio Osorio, Tito Ramón Correa, Héctor Ricardo, Arecio Colmán, Luisito Torres, Osvaldo Aquino, Roberto Cino, Carlos “Lobo” Diarte, Félix Fermín Marín, Celso Báez, Carlos Báez and Cristóbal Maldonado, who was one of the tournament’s top scorers.
The coach was Benjamin Laterza, another history of national football.
