Photo: Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani (Getty Images)
Two time world champions Uruguay faces a must win game aginst Costa Rica in a group that also features England and 2006 winners Italy. The semi-finalist from South Africa 2010 knows that 3 points is a must from their opening fixture with Italy and England playing each other.
Costa Rica is not expected to advance from the group but they will try to enjoy their time and could be a potential banana skin for the other ‘big teams’ in the group. They play a good brand of football and have some quality in attack.
Uruguay has a very experienced manager in Oscar Tabarez who will select his squad based on the opponent. He has the reliable Fernando Muslera of Galatasaray in goal with a defensive wall of skipper Diego Lugano and Atletico Madrid’s Diego Godin. Benfica’s Maxi Pereira and Martin Caceres of Juventus are likely to feature in the wing back positions.
Parma’s Walter Gargano and Lazio’s Alvaro Gonzalez should be in central midfield with Southampton’s Gaston Ramirez the chief creator. Edinson Cavani of PSG and Liverpool’s Luis Suares should provide the goal threat and are two of the most feared strikers in world football.
Jorge Luis Pinto has the reliable Keylor Navas of Levante to call upon in goal for La Sele and Mainz’s Junior Diaz to lead the defence. AIK’s Celso Borges and Christian Bolanos of Copenhagen are expected to sit in central midfield while the attacking threat should be led by skipper Bryan Ruiz and Arsenal’s Joel Campbell.
Uruguay built their success on their defense in the last World Cup but this time around they look a bit shaky. They had to settle for a playoff spot to qualify for Brazil but they are still a very dangerous opposition. Costa Rica may be looking to get at least a point from the game and could get on the score sheet of Uruguay’s poor defensive display continues but Uruguay should be able to get the better of them.
Players to Watch:
Costa Rica – Bryan Ruiz, Joel Campbell, Junior Diaz
Uruguay – Edinson Cavani, Luis Suares, Walter Gargano
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