Uruguay
http://www.freewebs.com/uruguayanplayers/Bueno.jpg
Manager: Oscar Tabarez
Captain: Diego Lugano
FIFA Ranking: 18
Group A
Background: Uruguay, or La Celeste are one of the most successful national teams in football, having won two World Cups, two Olympics football Gold medals, and fourteen Copa America trophies but are now nowhere near that standard. In their peak in the 1930's and pre-war periods when they hosted and won the first World Cup but have not had success on that scale in over 50 years.
Qualification: For the third time in a row Uruguay just about secured qualification to the World Cup, finishing in fifth place in the CONCACAF group, looking out of it until the last minute when they won the chance of a play-off against Costa Rica. La Celeste secured 0-1 victory in San Jose, and followed it up with a 1-1 draw in Montevideo.
The Team
Strengths: Famed for their "Garra Charrúa" ("never say die") attitude Uruguay have a tough side with a big, strong defence. Extremely good in the aerial department with a lot of tall players and great heading ability. The side's main strength is there lack of goals conceded.
Weaknesses: Uruguay are a very inconsistent side, on their day they can play world class football, challenging the likes of Brazil, on others they can struggle against a lot weaker sides. However, similar to Mexico and South Africa they struggle to take chances in front of goal.
The Manager: Oscar Washington Tabarez's future with Uruguay is under question, depending on this World Cup. He is largely questioned and unpopular as a manager, usually setting up depending on the rival: usually playing from any of 4-3-3, 4-4-2 or 3-4-1-2, preferring a counter-attacking method of football.
Star Men: Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid)
The most popular and most well known current Uruguayan player is set to appear in his second World Cup. Having won the Liga Pichichi and European Golden Boot twice, the front man now wants to achieve more with his national side, having scored 23 goals in 61 games for the team.
Diego Lugano (Fenerbahce)
A natural leader, and unlike John Terry, there has never been a question over his captaincy, but similar to Terry, a tough centre-back who doesn't let much get past him and isn't one to stand down from an argument should the situation arise.
manor15's Prediction
Group Stage. A hard prediction to make, Uruguay are so inconsistent they could reach the quarter-finals... or they could not make it out of a weak group. Given current form and not Diego Forlan's greatest ever season, a group stage exit is most likely.
http://www.freewebs.com/uruguayanplayers/Bueno.jpg
Manager: Oscar Tabarez
Captain: Diego Lugano
FIFA Ranking: 18
Group A
Background: Uruguay, or La Celeste are one of the most successful national teams in football, having won two World Cups, two Olympics football Gold medals, and fourteen Copa America trophies but are now nowhere near that standard. In their peak in the 1930's and pre-war periods when they hosted and won the first World Cup but have not had success on that scale in over 50 years.
Qualification: For the third time in a row Uruguay just about secured qualification to the World Cup, finishing in fifth place in the CONCACAF group, looking out of it until the last minute when they won the chance of a play-off against Costa Rica. La Celeste secured 0-1 victory in San Jose, and followed it up with a 1-1 draw in Montevideo.
The Team
Strengths: Famed for their "Garra Charrúa" ("never say die") attitude Uruguay have a tough side with a big, strong defence. Extremely good in the aerial department with a lot of tall players and great heading ability. The side's main strength is there lack of goals conceded.
Weaknesses: Uruguay are a very inconsistent side, on their day they can play world class football, challenging the likes of Brazil, on others they can struggle against a lot weaker sides. However, similar to Mexico and South Africa they struggle to take chances in front of goal.
The Manager: Oscar Washington Tabarez's future with Uruguay is under question, depending on this World Cup. He is largely questioned and unpopular as a manager, usually setting up depending on the rival: usually playing from any of 4-3-3, 4-4-2 or 3-4-1-2, preferring a counter-attacking method of football.
Star Men: Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid)
The most popular and most well known current Uruguayan player is set to appear in his second World Cup. Having won the Liga Pichichi and European Golden Boot twice, the front man now wants to achieve more with his national side, having scored 23 goals in 61 games for the team.
Diego Lugano (Fenerbahce)
A natural leader, and unlike John Terry, there has never been a question over his captaincy, but similar to Terry, a tough centre-back who doesn't let much get past him and isn't one to stand down from an argument should the situation arise.
manor15's Prediction
Group Stage. A hard prediction to make, Uruguay are so inconsistent they could reach the quarter-finals... or they could not make it out of a weak group. Given current form and not Diego Forlan's greatest ever season, a group stage exit is most likely.
