Forlan: A reward for Uruguayan football

If there was one thing lacking from Diego Forlan’s stellar performance here at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ it was a piece of silverware, particularly after the deadly striker just missed out on clinching the adidas Golden Shoe for the competition’s top scorer. No matter, the inspirational Uruguayan No10 instead made off with the coveted adidas Golden Ball – awarded to the finest player at this year’s finals on South African soil.

Forlan thus becomes the fourth South American to claim the prize, following in the footsteps of Argentina’s Diego Maradona (1986) and Brazilian duo Romario (1994) and Ronaldo (1998). Just minutes after learning of his award, the Atletico Madrid hitman spoke exclusively to

Video Uruguay 2-3 Germany (World Cup 2010 - 3/4 Places)

2010.07.10 (19h30) - Uruguay 2-3 Germany (World Cup 2010 - 3/4 Places)


0-1 Muller 19'

Forlan fit to face Germany

Uruguay striker Diego Forlan has recovered from a thigh injury and will play in the FIFA World Cup™ match for third place against Germany, coach Oscar Tabarez revealed on Friday. The influential Atletico Madrid forward was substituted in the 84th minute of Uruguay's 3-2 semi-final defeat by the Netherlands but Tabarez says Forlan is ready to assume a starting role against Joachim Low's side on Saturday.

"Yes, he's ready, but that doesn't mean he's only going to play to score and for the top goalscorers standings," said Tabarez of four-goal Forlan, who currently trails Spain's David Villa and Holland's Wesley Sneijder by one goal in the race for the adidas Golden Boot. "We absolutely want to win this match and it's a collective effort."

Video Uruguay 2-3 Netherlands (World Cup 2010 - Semi Final)

2010.07.06 (19h30) - Uruguay 2-3 Netherlands (World Cup 2010 - Semi Final)

Uruguay suffer Lodeiro injury blow

Uruguay midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro, who has been suffering from a right foot injury, has been ruled out of Tuesday's 2010 FIFA World Cup™ semi-final against the Netherlands.

Central defender and captain Diego Lugano, who has a right ankle injury, is also doubtful for the game in Cape Town.

Medical staff said earlier on Saturday that defender Jorge Fucile was still under observation after suffering an awkward fall during the quarter-final win over Ghana on Friday.

Video Uruguay 1-1 Ghana (Penalty 4-2) (World Cup 2010 - 1/4 Final)

2010.07.02 (19h30) - Uruguay 1-1 Ghana (Penalty 4-2) (World Cup 2010 - 1/4 Final)

Video Uruguay 2-1 South Korea (World Cup 2010 - 1/8 Final)

2010.06.26 (15h00) - Uruguay 2-1 South Korea (World Cup 2010 - 1/8 Final)

Forlan fired up for Ghana test

Uruguay striker Diego Forlan said Tuesday he was all fired up for his team's FIFA World Cup™ quarter-final against Ghana.

"We are well prepared - we are having a good World Cup," said the Atletico Madrid striker ahead of Friday's test at Soccer City in Johannesburg against the sole African survivors. "We are following the instructions of [coach Oscar] Tabarez and we are confident we can reach the semi-finals to give joy to our people," said the former Manchester United striker.

Rising confidence for Uruguay

AFP

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez hailed the achievement of his side's progression to the FIFA World Cup™ last 16 but insists they are far from finished yet. The South Americans won Group A with Mexico coming second, as hosts South Africa and 2006 finalists France crashed out.

Next up they face Korea Republic in the first knockout round and Tabarez is keen to continue their fine run so far.

Tabarez: Uruguay inspired

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Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez believes the opportunity to mix with the best in South Africa is bringing the greatest football out of his players after an indifferent build up to the FIFA World Cup™.

The South Americans completed the group stages of the competition with a 1-0 win over Mexico yesterday to move into the last 16 where they will next face Korea Republic. Only a few months ago La Celeste were struggling to even qualify for the global spectacle, but eventually piped Ecuador and Colombia for the play-off spot in the CONMEBOL region and then went on to edge Costa Rica to earn their ticket.

Eight hopefuls eyeing four spots

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The qualification equation will be resolved once and for all in groups A and B on Tuesday when, to ensure fairness between the teams in contention, the two games in each section will kick off at the same time.

Uruguay and Mexico currently lead the way in Group A with four points apiece and a draw between them in Rustenburg would send both through to the last 16. Neither will enjoy the thought of facing Argentina in the next round, however, and that ought to motivate both to pursue a victory that would allow either South Africa or France to take advantage, despite the latter duo having collected a solitary point each so far. Whatever happens, the tournament is about to lose at least one major participant, with the host nation having never fallen at this stage in past editions and crisis-stricken France runners-up just four years ago.

Abreu eager to top group

AFP

Having played seven seasons in Mexico, at seven different clubs, who better than Uruguay forward Sebastian Abreu to give his views on Las Charrúas’ final Group A game against El Tri at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™?

“They’re a very competitive team, with a few players at their second World Cup and who’ve been gathering experience at big European clubs,” El Loco told FIFA ahead of tomorrow's decisive meeting in Rustenburg.

Francescoli: This generation is different

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A pure footballing thoroughbred, Enzo Francescoli was one of the leading South American players of his generation and represented his country at two FIFA World Cup™ finals: Mexico 1986 and Italy 1990. Still a hugely respected figure in the game, he is currently in South Africa commentating on the world finals for Argentinian television.

Finding a window in his packed schedule, El Príncipe spoke at length to FIFA.com in an exclusive and enlightening interview, ranging over a number of topics, including his FIFA World Cup memories, Uruguay’s encouraging start at South Africa 2010 and his admiration for one Lionel Messi.

Coach 2010 - Uruguay

• Name: Oscar TABAREZ
• Country: Uruguay
• Date of Birth: 3 March 1947

Coaching Career

• Boca Juniors (ARG) : From 2003 to 2003
• Vélez Sársfield (ARG) : From 2000 to 2001
• Oviedo (ESP) : From 1997 to 1998
• Cagliari (ITA) : From 1997 to 1997
• AC Milan (ITA) : From 1996 to 1997
• Cagliari (ITA) : From 1994 to 1995
• Boca Juniors (ARG) : From 1991 to 1993
• Uruguay (URU) : From 1988 to 1990
• Deportivo Cali (COL) : From 1988 to 1988
• Peñarol (URU) : From 1987 to 1987
• Montevideo Wanderers (URU) : From 1985 to 1986
• Danubio (URU) : From 1984 to 1984

One of the football world’s more thoughtful and laid-back coaches, Oscar Washington Tabarez is nevertheless a man of firm convictions and clear ideas. Aptly known in the game as Maestro, the much-travelled Tabarez is set to lead Uruguay into the FIFA World Cup™ finals for the second time.
A solid right-back in his playing days, Tabarez began his career with Institucion Atletica Sud America in 1967 and ended it 11 years later with Club Atletico Bella Vista. In between came spells with fellow Uruguayan sides Sportivo Italiano, Montevideo Wanderers, and Fenix and a stint in Mexico with Puebla.
He took first steps as coach in 1980, training the youth teams at the unfashionable Montevideo club of Bella Vista. Three years later he was in charge of the national U-20 team, steering them to the gold medal at the 1983 Pan American Games in Venezuela, his first success as coach.
Next stop was the Uruguayan first division for consecutive spells with Danubio, Montevideo Wanderers and Penarol, where he won his maiden club title, the 1987 Copa Libertadores, the last time the famous Montevideo outfit won the biggest prize in Latin American football.
Following a short sojourn with Deportivo Cali in Colombia, Tabarez took charge of the national team for the first time, taking La Celeste to the final of the 1989 Copa America, where they finished runners-up to Brazil, and to the 1990 FIFA World Cup Italy™.
A 2-0 defeat to the host nation in the Round of 16 marked the end of his stewardship and a year later he crossed the River Plate to take over at the mighty Boca Juniors, helping them to the Argentinian championship for the first time in 11 long years. That success proved the springboard to Europe, where, as well coaching Cagliari in two separate spells in the nineties, he also took the reins at AC Milan and Spanish side Oviedo.
Returning to Argentina, he was in charge at Velez Sarsfield in 2001 before being reinstalled at Boca Juniors in 2002, overseeing their second-place finish in that year’s Apertura. After more than two decades in the hotseat, he then stayed out of the game for nearly four years, only returning to the game in March 2006, when the Uruguayan FA invited him to return to the national side.
His achievements in his second coming have been considerable. As well overhauling the national set-up and leading his side to fourth place at the 2007 Copa America and masterminding their qualification for South Africa 2010, Tabarez has also revitalised the country’s youth football. Proof of that came in 2009, when, along with Brazil, Los Charrúas were the only side to qualify for both the FIFA U-17 and U-20 World Cups.
As welcome as those successes have been, Tabarez’s overriding ambition is to see his side shine in the world finals and thereby add his name to long list of legends who have helped shape the history of Uruguayan football.

Team Squad List 2010 - Uruguay

Nr.	Name	Date of Birth	Position	Clubs	Height
1	Fernando MUSLERA	16/06/1986	GK	Lazio (ITA)	190
2	Diego LUGANO	02/11/1980	DF	Fenerbahce (TUR)	188
3	Diego GODIN	16/02/1986	DF	Villarreal (ESP)	185
4	Jorge FUCILE	19/11/1984	DF	Porto (POR)	177
5	Walter GARGANO	23/07/1984	MF	Napoli (ITA)	168
6	Mauricio VICTORINO	11/10/1982	DF	Univ. de Chile (CHI)	182
7	Edinson CAVANI	14/02/1987	FW	Palermo (ITA)	188
8	Sebastian EGUREN	08/01/1981	MF	AIK Stockholm (SWE)	186
9	Luis SUAREZ	24/01/1987	FW	Ajax (NED)	181
10	Diego FORLAN	19/05/1979	FW	Atletico Madrid (ESP)	181
11	Alvaro PEREIRA	28/11/1985	MF	Porto (POR)	182
12	Juan CASTILLO	17/04/1978	GK	Deportivo Cali (COL)	181
13	Sebastian ABREU	17/10/1976	FW	Botafogo (BRA)	193
14	Nicolas LODEIRO	21/03/1989	MF	Ajax (NED)	173
15	Diego PEREZ	18/05/1980	MF	Monaco (FRA)	176
16	Maximiliano PEREIRA	08/06/1984	DF	Benfica (POR)	173
17	Egidio AREVALO	01/01/1982	MF	Penarol (URU)	168
18	Ignacio GONZALEZ	14/05/1982	MF	Valencia (ESP)	180
19	Andres SCOTTI	14/12/1975	DF	Colo Colo (CHI)	183
20	Alvaro FERNANDEZ	11/10/1985	MF	Univ. de Chile (CHI)	185
21	Sebastian FERNANDEZ	23/05/1985	FW	Banfield (ARG)	167
22	Martin CACERES	07/04/1987	DF	Juventus (ITA)	178
23	Martin SILVA	25/03/1983	GK	Defensor Sporting (URU)	187

Coach: Oscar TABAREZ (URU)

Team Profile 2010 - Uruguay

Profile

Few nations have the footballing history of Uruguay. Nestling on the northern bank on the River Plate, the country has a population of a little over three million yet boasts an impressive collection of world, Olympic and continental titles and a record that compares favourably with the world’s best. The glory years of Uruguayan football are but a fading memory, however, with La Celeste having made just two appearances at the last five FIFA World Cup™ finals.

The man charged with the task of improving that record and raising their profile once more is Oscar Tabarez, who is now in his second stint as national coach, having taken the Uruguayans through to the last 16 at Italy 1990. El Maestro, as he is known in his homeland, certainly has the resources to do achieve those objectives. Sprinkled with players from Europe’s major leagues, his young side are determined to impress in South Africa, and in Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez they have the star quality to advance beyond the group phase and into the knockout rounds for the first time in two decades.

The road to South Africa
Just as they did in 2001 and 2005, Uruguay finished fifth in the ten-team qualifying group, which meant yet another play-off. But unlike four years ago, when they were eliminated by Australia, the Uruguayans were this time pitted against Costa Rica, the fourth-placed team in the CONCACAF Zone. The South Americans gained the upper hand in the first leg in San Jose, winning 1-0 through a goal from captain Diego Lugano. Four days later they completed the job in Montevideo, with Sebastian Abreu, one of the few survivors from Korea/Japan 2002, scoring in a 1-1 draw.

In the group phase Los Charrúas scored 28 goals in all, the third-highest tally behind Brazil and Chile, and collected 24 points. Those figures were almost good enough for an automatic qualification slot. A top-four place would have been theirs had they beaten neighbours Argentina at home on the final matchday. As it turned out, their rivals from the other side of the River Plate snatched a 1-0 win to condemn them to their now customary fate.

The star players
The Uruguay side features a mix of youthful players and household names and is led by the authoritative figure of Diego Lugano. The latest in a long line of temperamental, strong-willed Uruguayan skippers, the blond centre-half likes to combine his defensive duties with often-profitable forays into the opposing penalty box.

Up front La Celeste can count on a fearsome strike partnership formed by Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez. The Atletico Madrid striker is another veteran of Korea/Japan 2002 and has put together an impressive CV during his time in Europe. His sidekick Suarez is busy making a name for himself with Ajax Amsterdam, taking over the captaincy after barely two years with the Dutch giants. Together the duo scored 12 goals in the qualifiers.

The coach
The 62-year-old Oscar Washington Tabarez is preparing for his second appearance at the FIFA World Cup finals with Uruguay. Tabarez was the man in the hotseat when Los Charrúas were knocked in the Round of 16 at Italy 1990 by the host nation. Now, 20 years on, El Maestro is set to return to the big stage with a youthful and resilient side.

Reliable, hard-working and a man of few words, Tabarez began coaching with local club Bella Vista and the U-20 national team. During his lengthy career he has worked at some of the biggest clubs in world football, among them Penarol, Boca Juniors and AC Milan. He was reappointed Uruguay boss in 2006, taking over from Jorge Fossati following La Celeste’s penalty-shootout loss to Australia in the Germany 2006 play-off.

Previous FIFA World Cups
. Uruguay will be appearing in the FIFA World Cup for the 11th time at South Africa 2010.
. Uruguay hosted the inaugural FIFA World Cup finals in 1930 and went on to win the tournament after defeating Argentina 4-2 in the Final.
. The last time that the men in sky blue advanced beyond the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup finals was at Mexico 1970, when they finished fourth.

What they said
“We had to work hard to qualify, especially in the games in Montevideo. Luckily for us, though, the World Cup’s taking place far away from home! I know we have to improve a lot if we are to perform well in South Africa but we do have a lot of strong points and we hope to be able to show them.” Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez

source: fifa.com

Uruguay national football team-Custom

Uruguay

Nickname(s)	Charrúas La Celeste Olímpica (The Olympic Sky Blue) La Celeste (The Sky Blue)
Association	Asociación Uruguaya de Fútbol
Confederation	CONMEBOL (South America)
Head coach	Oscar Tabarez
Captain	Diego Lugano
Most caps	Rodolfo Rodríguez (79)
Top scorer	Héctor Scarone (31)
Home stadium	Estadio Centenario
FIFA code	URU
FIFA ranking	16

Uruguay national football team

The Uruguay national football team represents Uruguay in international football competition and is controlled by the Asociación Uruguaya de Fútbol.
Uruguay have won two FIFA World Cups, including the first ever World Cup in 1930 as hosts, beating Argentina 4-2 in the final. They won their second title in 1950, upsetting hosts Brazil 2-1 in the final match. They also won the Gold Medals in football at the Summer Olympics twice, in 1924 and 1928, before the creation of the World Cup. They also won the 1980 Mundialito, a tournament among former World Cup champions Uruguay hosted in 1980 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first World Cup. Uruguay is one of the most successful teams in the world, having won 18 official titles: 2 FIFA World Cup, 2 Olympic Games and 14 Copa América.