PARAGUAY’S legendary goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert said that he had been impressed by the goalkeeping of Colo­mbia’s David Ospina and Germany’s Manuel Neuer at the World Cup.

Chivalert, also known for his skills as a free-kick specialist took part at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, said that he was impressed by the goalkeeping in general at the World Cup.

“The goalkeeping at the World Cup has been very good,” Chilavert told Dawn in an exclusive chat on the sidelines of the semi-final between Brazil and Germany here on Tuesday.

“It’s because the up and coming goalkeepers play intelligently and judge the ball well.”

Included in the 1998 World Cup Team of the Tournament, Chilavert said the ones who had impressed him were Neuer and Ospina.

“Both of them have shown outstanding skills during the course of the tournament,” he said. “They have been the best.”

Shedding light on the changing role of the goalkeepers who also act as sweepers, he said that in the changing dynamics of how football is played means the goalkeepers have to contribute to the outfield play.

“Neuer is the best at doing that,” he said. “Sometimes he comes out of the box to repel the attacks which is very nice to see.

“The game has progressed so much that the goalkeeper now has to contribute more to the team’s defensive strategy.”

Chilavert said that although Costa Rica’s Keylor Navas had been good, amongst goalkeepers from Latin America it is Ospina who has caught the eye.

“His [Ospina’s] reactions are very good and what helped him more was that he knew the conditions in Brazil.”

Published in Dawn, July 9th , 2014