Confed Cup Gives Uruguay Confidence

[Folami David]

Uruguay lost 2-1 to Brazil in the semifinals of the Confederations Cup, but they drew very positive conclusions from their participation in the tournament and their prospects en route to next year's World Cup.
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"If we play like this we are in a position to play anyone, and that is ground that we have gained for the qualifiers ahead," Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said late on Wednesday in Belo Horizonte.
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Brazil needed an 86th minute goal from Paulinho to overcome La Celeste, and Uruguay striker Diego Forlan had failed to convert a penalty in the 15th minute at the Mineirao Stadium.
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"We can compete with top-level teams, including Brazil," Tabarez said. "That's a plus when it comes to playing future matches."
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Uruguay have struggled in recent months in the South American qualifiers, and got just two points in six matches in succession until they beat Venezuela in a crucial match on June 11.
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Such a poor streak has left the team that came fourth in South Africa 2010 and won the Copa America a year later seriously at risk of not qualifying for Brazil 2014.
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They currently stand five points behind fourth placed Chile, though with a game in hand, and appear to be rather in a race with Venezuela and Peru for fifth place, which grants the chance to a play-off against an Asian team rather than a direct World Cup berth. Uruguay have four rounds of qualifiers left to play, and they will not be easy.
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"We have four very important games left," Tabarez said. "The last three are against the three top teams in the qualifiers."
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The key 1-0 win in Venezuela and they results in the Confed Cup - a 2-1 defeat against world champions Spain, a 2-1 win against Nigeria and the expected 8 0 thrashing of Tahiti's amateurs as well as their good match against the hosts - appear to have revived La Celeste.

[Shola Sholaz]

Confederations Cup really put many teams in the limelite. I never knew Uruguay would get to the semis. Congratz to them.