Dunga blames virus

CONCEPCION. — Brazil’s penalty shoot-out jinx struck again as Paraguay sent them crashing out of the Copa America in a stunning repeat of their 2011 upset of the five-time world soccer champions on Saturday.

Striker Derlis Gonzalez was the hero for Paraguay, slotting a second-half penalty to level the match at 1-1 before then stepping up to rifle home the decisive spot-kick to clinch a 4-3 win in the shoot-out.

It marked another bitter defeat for Brazil, who went out to Paraguay at the same stage of the competition four years ago, when they also lost on penalties.

Brazil’s hopes of avenging that loss soon unravelled in the shootout, when terrible misses by Everton Ribeiro and Douglas Costa handed the initiative to the Para- guayans.

Paraguay skipper Roque Santa Cruz gave his team nervous moments when he squandered the opportunity to clinch victory with his side’s fourth spot-kick, blazing high over the bar.

But Gonzalez (21), who had buried an emphatic 72nd-minute penalty to level the game, made no mistake with his side’s fifth kick before being mobbed by delirious team-mates.

“To see my team-mates with tears in their eyes, you can’t put a price on that,” Gonzalez said.

“Nobody trusted in us when we arrived here. But we’re a very united team and we have more to give in this tournament.”

Brazil coach Dunga (RIGHT) blamed a mystery virus for his team’s shock Copa America exit to Paraguay as the most successful footballing nation on the planet struggled to digest another tournament setback.

Dunga said as many as 15 members of his squad had been affected by the virus, which he said had disrupted preparations for the quarter-final against the Paraguayans.

“I’m not making excuses, but around 15 players had viruses which limited our training,” Dunga said.

“Some had headaches, back pain, body aches. Some players felt it more than others and had to reduce training, some players vomited.

“Today was a game where we needed speed and we didn’t have it,” he added.

Dunga’s explanation caused confusion among members of his squad, with midfielder Filipe Luis telling reporters he was unaware of any mass illness among his team-mates. — AFP.