- Title: URUGUAY: GOLF - Uruguay eyeing third World Cup trophy glory: Tabarez
- Date: 23rd April 2014
- Summary: MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY (FILE) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF URUGUAY TEAM
- Embargoed: 8th May 2014 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Uruguay
- Country: Uruguay
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA6UXO1ORV5403NRJXHSQE2J165
- Story Text: With less than 50 days until World Cup kick off, Uruguay's coach Oscar Tabarez told media that superstar soccer side Brazil remain a real threat in the FIFA tournament following their standout performance in last year's Confederations Cup.
Two-time champions Uruguay, who have an enviable strike force in Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, face Costa Rica, England and Italy in Group D in Brazil.
Speaking to media on Thursday (April 23), Tabarez told media homeside Brazil are the one's to watch in the FIFA competition after they crushed current World Cup Champions Spain 3-0 in last year's Confederations Cup final.
"I think that since the Confederations Cup, there's an indication of how the World Cup could be in the country disputing it," he said.
The majority of Tabarez's squad will have the experience of having been a part of the team that reached the last four in South Africa four years ago and that also won the Copa America in Argentina in 2011.
Tabarez told media his side should not be ruled out of World Cup victory.
"With all the surprises of the World Cup, there's always a (team) performance which was not expected by experts and it's called a surprise. Perhaps our performance in South Africa was a prize."
According to bookmakers, Uruguay have a 28 to 1 chance of nabbing World Cup victory.
The South American side's coach entertained the idea of Uruguay winning football's greatest prize.
"Until now there's been no surprise in the World Cup winner," said Tabarez.
Brazil is the only country in the Americas that has won more World Cup trophies than Uruguay. With a homeside advantage for Brazil and football mania sweeping South America's largest nation, Tabarez conceded Brazil's passion for the sport cannot be beat.
"If one talks about world champions the first word that comes to mind, if you think of a country, the first that comes to mind is Brazil. They've won the most World Cups. They have a passion for football that can beat any other country, they're waiting for this (home) setting and have told their team openly that the goal is to win," said the Uruguay coach.
Speaking to media, Tabarez admitted his side would have to work hard to limit their opponents.
Uruguay's former star footballer, Diego Forlan, voted best player at the 2010 finals, is now 34 and past his prime. Tabarez is considering his World Cup strategy, wondering whether to opt for limited possession, relying on fast counter-attacks exploiting the skills of the strikers.
Traditionally weak when up against Europe's soccer elite, Uruguay will have three warmup friendlies against European opponents with their matches against Italy and England in mind.
"What's hard for us, and it's a historical trend, is winning against elite European teams. But I think what we have now is, I'm not sure it's experience, but we have gained some respect," said Tabarez.
Despite the challenges ahead, the South American side knows where they currently stand and where they want to be.
"We know where we're going, what we have to do to get there and what we should do in this type of competition. Before it was all talk, that the coaching team was one-of-a-kind and there difference between the players was not much. Now, there are things we shouldn't talk about because it's part of our reality," he added.
Uruguay visit Austria in Klagenfurt on March 5 before hosting Northern Ireland on May 30 and Slovenia on June 4, both at the Centenario in Montevideo where they won their first World Cup in 1930.
Also shock winners at the previous Brazil finals in 1950, Uruguay face Costa Rica in Fortaleza on June 14, England in Sao Paulo on June 19 and Italy in Natal on June 24. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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