World Cup Profile: Uruguay
Only Brazil, Italy and Germany have won more World Cups than Uruguay, a remarkable achievement when you consider that the population of the country is in and around the 3.5 million mark. Indeed, the South Americans were remarkably efficient in their first appearances in the competition, winning the first two they entered, in 1930 and again in 1950, both on South American soil, after a refusal to participate in 1934 and 1938 and the postponement of the competition during the 1940’s due to World War Two.
1950 was the second and last time Uruguay have emerged as World Cup winners and in more recent times, they have struggled to make their mark on the world stage. The last time they got beyond the second round of the World Cup was way back in 1970 and they have only qualified for one World Cup since 1990.
They have remained competitive in the Copa America and are rarely intimidated by more illustrious opponents like Brazil and Argentina. Showed inconsistent form during qualifying, however and could find it difficult to emerge from a tricky looking Group A.
Star Player: Diego Forlan
Ridiculed during his time at Manchester United, despite being a popular figure amongst fans, Forlan has become one of Europe’s top strikers since leaving Old Trafford at both Villareal and with his present club Atletico Madrid. Forlan has won the European Golden Boot and the Pichichi trophy, awarded to the top scorer in La Liga, in 2005 and 2009, when he scored a remarkable 32 goals in 33 league appearances for Atletico.
He scores in roughly one in three games at international level and was on target on seven occasions during their World Cup qualifying campaign. If Uruguay are to qualify from Group A, Forlan’s potentially lethal partnership with Ajax’s Luis Suarez will need to flourish.
Forlan and Suarez will need to be on form if Uruguay are to progress
Manager: Oscar Tabarez
Known as ‘El Maestro’ (the teacher), because he did actually teach for a period before he became a manager, Tabarez has been around the block for a while, having previously managed his country at Italia 90’. He has also had spells at numerous clubs in his native Uruguay and with Boca Juniors and Velez Sarsfield in Argentina and managed for a spell in Europe during the 90’s with varying degrees of success, staying at AC Milan for only 22 matches, but fared better at Cagliari and Spanish side Real Oviedo. Has a tendency to frequently change tactics, which can hardly help with stability or players’ confidence.
Prediction: Group stage exit
The French team, especially with crazy man Domenech in charge, are unpredictable at best and Uruguay will be hoping to catch them on an off day when they size up on the opening day of the tournament. If they can take something out of that game, they have a chance of getting out of the group, but we don’t think they will. Uruguay’s recent World Cup woes to continue with a group stage exit.
Odds: 100/1
Irishness rating: 7/10
If it wasn’t for Thierry ‘le cheat’ Henry, it could well be the boys in green and not France taking on Uruguay in Cape Town on 11 June, even though that view is ignoring minor concerns such as seedings and such. The very thought of it has made us sick to our stomachs here at JOE.
If they were a car they’d be a…
Subaru Impreza – They were once great, but are now struggling to live up to the glories of the past.
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