2010 FIFA World Cup: Uruguay Thriving in World Cup Atmosphere

There is perhaps no test in world football more difficult and grueling than the 18-match CONMEBOL World Cup Qualification campaign. 2002 World Cup winning-coach Luis Felipe Scolari of Brazil famously said that after qualification, winning the World Cup was easy. 

Scolari's quote is accurate on a number of levels, but particularly for countries like Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay who are not only the heavyweights of the continent, but have the majority of the squad playing in Europe, giving the managers very little time to work with the players. 

Trips to such mountainous fortresses as La Paz, Quito, and Lima with only a day to acclimatize to the altitude are some of the most perilous trips in the game, made all the more difficult by hostile crowds unimaginable to those who have never witnessed it.

Uruguay, like neighbors Argentina, labored to qualify for South Africa 2010, and after losing out to Diego Maradona’s men for the first time in over 30 years at the legendary Estadio Centenario were forced to go into a playoff against Costa Rica, a series in which they only just scraped by 2-1 on aggregate.

Now, after arriving in South Africa, La Celeste is on the verge of becoming the first side to qualify for the Round of 16 after putting the hosts to the sword in a convincing 3-0 win in Pretoria.

Granted South Africa is not the most technically gifted side in the competition, but beating a host nation at a World Cup is never an easy task, especially in the manner that Uruguay achieved the three points, as Bafana Bafana failed to create a single clear opportunity.

The question now is, how is it possible that a team that is lucky to be in South Africa and winless at a World Cup since 1990, now be in poll position in arguably the most difficult group of the World Cup?

Although no one could deny the individual talent in Uruguay’s squad, consistency along with defensive and goalkeeping errors appeared to be the eventual downfall of the Charruas, yet amazingly, Uruguay has not allowed a single goal in two matches, and for the most part goalkeeper Fernando Muslera has been comfortable.

With the chance to finally have his players together for more than a few days before playing a Clasico or Derby, as is often the case in South American Qualifying, coach Oscar “El Maestro” Tabarez has had his team now for over a month and the improvements are impressive while playing opponents with which they have little history.

The backline finally has a bit of continuity, led by fiery captain Diego Lugano and Villareal’s Diego Godin.

The two rugged centerbacks have built a strong understanding with Muslera, who turned 24 on the day Uruguay topped South Africa.

Goalkeeper was a troubling position during qualifying, especially during an embarrassing 4-0 loss to Brazil in which Uruguay was actually the better side, but Muslera has been rock solid.

In midfield, Tabarez has been able to try out different combinations, and has settled with Diego Perez and Egidio Arevalo after dropping Walter Gargano to the bench.

The two holding players have been as impressive of any such duo in the early goings of the tournament, effectively winning balls and marking the creative players of the other teams out of the game.

By playing the defensive minded midfielders, Tabarez has freed up wing-backs Alvaro and Maxi Pereira to go forward and link up with the attack, something they were not able to do very well against France.

It also appears that Tabarez has found the formula to get the best of his talented attackers.

After a very poor effort against the French, Ignacio “Nacho” Gonzalez was dropped to the bench, while Diego Forlan dropped into a deeper role to become the teams enganche, or playmaker.

In his new position, Forlan has much more freedom and space in which to operate, while also having the option to get his teammates more involved by spreading play wide and linking up with fellow attackers Edison Cavani and Luis Suarez. 

During qualifying, it is not always as easy to change the team, for there is such little time to tinker with side during a hectic week with only two or three games in between matches.

Although Uruguay has not yet even achieved qualification for the knock out stages, Tabarez and his men will like their chances especially with a defense that is finally playing up to potential.

There is no telling how far Uruguay can go, but with confidence growing, they will like their odds to beat Mexico, top the group and take their best shot going on from there.

Whatever happens, it will be easier than Uruguay’s road to qualification.