Maldini - confident Spain will beat South Africa (Allsport)

By David Anderson, PA Sport, in Suwon

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Paraguay coach Cesare Maldini is confident Spain will try their best to beat South Africa on Wednesday in Group B's day of destiny.

Paraguay need to beat Slovenia in Seogwipo and hope Spain defeat South Africa in Daejeon to have any chance of making the last 16.

However, Paraguay's masterplan for qualification could be wrecked by the fact that Spain intend to rest two or three first-choice players because they have already booked their place in the second round.

Maldini, though, is confident Spain will be professional and he said: "We'll only think about our match against Slovenia.

"We would not be able to watch the Spain game anyway, but because Spain are professionals I believe they will play well.

"We will not throw caution to the wind. We need to score goals, but our approach will be the same.

"We must try and forget about the other match. It will be hard for us to concentrate because our fate is out of our hands. We must win and see what happens."

Even if Paraguay win and South Africa lose, the South Americans must hope it is by enough for them to overcome South Africa's three-goal superior goal difference.

Maldini knows the odds are stacked against his side, even though Slovenia have already been eliminated, and he seemed to be preparing his excuses in readiness for a first-round exit.

"Even France have failed to advance to the second round," he said. "Even though they have many star players like [Zinedine] Zidane, [David] Trezeguet and [Thierry] Henry, they weren't able to score even one goal in this World Cup competition.

"So if we lose, there's nothing we can do. That's football."

Extrovert goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert sounded more defiant and he said: "We're very eager to win.

"We know Wednesday's match is the most important one for us. It depends both on us and Spain to win in order for us to advance to the second round.

"Nothing will be easy in football. Slovenia will also want to win tomorrow."

Denis Caniza is Paraguay's main injury worry and Maldini is hopeful he will be able to shrug off his thigh problem to play.

"Although he has injured his thigh, he may be able to play in Wednesday's match," said the former Italy coach.