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By Brian Homewood
BUENOS AIRES, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Argentina coach Alfio Basile said he was untroubled by their long-running failure to beat Saturday's visitors Paraguay at home in a World Cup qualifier.
Argentina have drawn the last four qualifiers they have hosted against their smaller neighbours and their last win was way back in 1973.
"I don't give any importance to those statistics," Basile told reporters. "Absolutely not."
"What I can say is that Paraguay are strong opponents.
"They have always been tough in defence and now they are strong in attack as well. They have four first-class forwards who are successful in different parts of the world."
Paraguay are leaders of the 10-team South American qualifying group ahead of Argentina, who did beat Paraguay 1-0 in a Copa America group game in Venezuela last year.
"I hope we can repeat our performance in the Copa America," said the gravel-voiced Basile, adding that Argentina needed to improve on their previous home game against Ecuador in June which they drew 1-1 after grabbing a late equaliser.
"We're aware we didn't play well against Ecuador or, more to the point, we played badly. We owe our fans a good game."
The Paraguay match will be played at the Monumental stadium, Argentina's traditional home venue since the 1978 World Cup which the country hosted and won.
Basile, however, said he would be happy to play elsewhere.
"I would like to play in the provinces like Brazil do," said the coach, whose team suffered from a poor pitch and lukewarm support during the stalemate with Ecuador.
"Argentina is full of great stadiums. Rosario is a great footballing city and the stadium would be full if we went and played there."
