Coach: Oscar Tabarez
World Ranking: 18
Key Player: Luis Suarez
World Cup Record: Qualified for 11 finals. Winners in 1930 and 1950
Group A Schedule:
11 June – Uruguay v France
16 June – South Africa v Uruguay
22 June – Mexico v Uruguay
The Uruguayans are back in the World Cup finals on the back of a less than convincing qualifying series which saw them win six, draw six and lose of six of their matches. They finished fifth in their group and overcame Costa Rica 2-1 on aggregate to book their place for the South African jamboree.
Oscar Tabarez, another returning coach, was previously in the Uruguayan hotseat at the 1990 finals in Italy, and saw his side eliminated by the hosts in the round of 16.
Tabarez has a wealth of experience after working extensively in South America and Europe, yet he is all too aware of the task facing Uruguay in South Africa.
They are a side of many individual talents, who perform well for their respective clubs, but transferring such form to the international arena has proved beyond them, hence their stuttering path to the final.
The side is captained by stylish defender Diego Lugano, while the strike force of Diego Forlan and and Luis Suarez will be hoping to strike fear into their opponents.
Indeed, hope may be the appropriate word to sum up Uruguay at these finals, yet they could prosper if the likes of South Africa and France fail to perform.
Final Squad:
Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Lazio), Juan-Guillermo Castillo (Cali), Martin Silva (Defensor Sporting)
Defenders: Diego Lugano (Fenerbahce), Diego Godin (Villarreal), Andres Scotti (Colo Colo), Jorge Fucile (Porto), Martin Caceres (Juventus), Mauricio Victorino (Universidad de Chile), Maximiliano Pereira (Benfica)
Midfielders: Walter Gargano (Napoli), Egidio Arevalo-Rios (Penarol), Sebastian Eguren (AIK Stockholm), Diego Perez (Monaco), Alvaro Pereira (Porto), Alvaro Fernandez (Universidad de Chile), Jorge Rodriguez (River Plate), Alvaro Gonzalez (Nacional), Ignacio Gonzalez (Valencia), Nicolas Lodeiro (Ajax)
Forwards: Sebastian Fernandez (Banfield), Luis Suarez (Ajax), Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid), Sebastian Abreu (Botafogo), Edinson Cavani (Palermo), Jorge Martinez (Catania)
