Denis Caniza

Denis Caniza
Personal information
Full nameDenis Ramón Caniza Acuña
Date of birth29 August 1974
Place of birthBella Vista, Paraguay
Height1.74 m (5 ft 8 1⁄2 in)[1]
Playing positionFull back
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
1994–1999Olimpia Asunción97(3)
1999–2001Lanús61(1)
2001–2005Santos Laguna191(8)
2005–2008Cruz Azul51(0)
2006–2007→ Atlas (loan)39(1)
2008–2009Olimpia Asunción35(0)
2009Nacional Asunción20(0)
2010–2011León35(2)
2011Nacional Asunción20(0)
2011Irapuato15(1)
2012Nacional Asunción19(1)
2013Sportivo Luqueño33(0)
2014Rubio Ñu32(2)
National team‡
1996–2010Paraguay100(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 5 December 2014.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 8 June 2010
This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Caniza and the second or maternal family name is Acuña.

Denis Ramón Caniza Acuña (born 29 August 1974 in Bella Vista, Amambay) is a Paraguayan retired football defender who last played for Rubio Ñu in the Primera División Paraguaya.

Career

He started his career in Olimpia of Paraguay. He also played in Lanús of Argentina, Santos Laguna, Atlas, Cruz Azul, Leon, and Irapuato of Mexico.

Caniza has always been a regular in the Paraguay national football team because of his versatility, as he can play as a side defender or as a centre-back. After the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Caniza announced his retirement from the Paraguay national team. However, when coach Gerardo Martino took the helm of the national team Caniza was called back and accepted to return to play for Paraguay. After Gerardo Martino took the head coach job in the Paraguay national football team, Caniza was voted for his teammates to become the captain of the team, so every time he plays (when he is not injured or suspended) he captains the Paraguay national football team.

Caniza holds the distinction as the only Paraguayan footballer to be selected for 4 consecutive FIFA World Cup Finals, having been chosen in 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010.

Due to his small size and industrial play, he has been described by BBC South American reporter Tim Vickery as "the Paraguayan Nobby Stiles".

In December 2014, Caniza announces his retirement at the age of 40 and his intention to have wanted to retire at Olimpia Asunción.[2]

Career statistics

International goals

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 14 March 1998 Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California, USA  United States 2–2 Draw Friendly
Correct as of 8 March 2012

Honours

Olimpia

Santos Laguna

Nacional

References

  1. ↑ Denis Caniza FIFA World Cup profile Retrieved 2010-06-13
  2. ↑ http://www.cronica.com.py/online/articulo/20718-denis-caniza-queria-retirarme-con-olimpia.html

External links