URUGUAY: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - High-flying country, ranked third in world by FIFA, prepares for World Cup qualifier against Venezuela

Record ID: 351538

  • Title: URUGUAY: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - High-flying country, ranked third in world by FIFA, prepares for World Cup qualifier against Venezuela
  • Date: 30th May 2012
  • Summary: MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY (MAY 29, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF URUGUAY PRACTISING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) URUGUAY GOALKEEPER FERNANDO MUSLERA SAYING: "It's really a great motivation to see Uruguayan football growing, to see everything we've done during this time was positive and it evolved. I think all this -- the second place FIFA ranking, the undefeated string -- gives you mor
  • Embargoed: 14th June 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Uruguay
  • Country: Uruguay
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA65WYZAUU3Q45LHGLQ3E269XL5
  • Story Text: High-flying Uruguay, third in FIFA world rankings, was optimistic on Tuesday (May 29) heading into a weekend World Cup qualifier with Uruguay.
    With Oscar Tabarez at the helm, Uruguay is coming a off a Copa America victory and convincing wins over Bolivia and Chile in earlier qualifiers.
    Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera was among those who was positive about the team.
    "It's really a great motivation to see Uruguayan football growing, to see everything we've done during this time was positive and it evolved. I think all this -- the second place FIFA ranking, the undefeated string -- gives you more motivation to continue forward, especially in the qualifying round where it's just the beginning and there are several games to play. We know it's a long qualifying round but obviously that motivates you to show up and continue playing the same way," Muslera said.
    Uruguay also tied with Paraguay last year and a win would put them firmly on the road to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
    "We need to take advantage of the bonus of playing in front of our fans, in our stadium, and try to get the six points that would give us a good foundation," Muslera added.
    Striker Edinson Cavani, who had a strong season with Italy's Napoli, said there's an air of confidence in Uruguay, but warned against upstart Venezuela.
    "It's always been difficult to play against Venezuela, but I think this team has changed. It's always Uruguay, but I think the work we've been doing... I'm not sure how it's changed, but I think this group is very close and convinced of the weapons it has to fight. We know it's going to be a difficult match, like all the qualifying matches, but with hard work we'll try to move forward like we always have," he said.
    Venezuela and Argentina join Uruguay at the top of the qualifying round, each with seven points. The teams will meet at Montevideo's Centenario stadium on Saturday, June 2.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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