FIFA 2010 World Cup: Uruguay take on Ghana, La Celeste try to regain former Glory
If, the South American underdogs Uruguay upset all the odds and somehow manages to win the World Cup in South Africa. Tonight they will have to emerge victorious at the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg. Surprisingly, it will not be the biggest shock in their history.
For that we have to go back to the World Cup of 1950 when an un-fancied Uruguay sprung a mammoth surprise by beating Brazil in the final by 2goals to 1.
La Celeste was one of the biggest football powers of that time but by no means favourite to win the trophy against the Samba boys, who had the support of almost 200,000 vociferous fans. It is said that never before or never after to this date has there been more people inside a football stadium to watch a world cup final than there were inside the ‘Maracana’ in Rio de Janeiro on July the 16th 1950.
After a cagey affair in the first half, Brazil went ahead in the second half. No one inside the stadium or elsewhere in the world thought that the result was in doubt. But a stunning comeback by the underdog of all underdogs shell shocked the world as they turned the match around and won it with a winning goal 11 minutes from time. Even a pin drop could have been heard in the stadium as the world watched stunned. Since that day Brazil have never worn their unlucky white kit and have adapted a yellow and green strip.
The Uruguay of today is not in any way similar to the team in 1950. The only thing they have in common is the underdog’s tag. Since their triumph in 1950 they have not been playing the same mesmerising football and their best outing was in the 1970 World Cup when they lost to Brazil 3-1 in the semi finals.
But today they have two front men that give them something they have lacked for decade: a forward line capable to terrorizing defences. Both the strikers were among the top scorers in their respective leagues in Europe while Forlan played a pivotal role in guiding Atletico to the Europa league crown.
But it is not only attack that is the mainstay of the team’s success this year, the team’s work rate at this World Cup has been phenomenal.
Uruguay did not concede a single goal in the group stages and qualified as the top team in their group avoiding Argentina in the next round and were provided an easier time – at least on paper- against Ghana.
Uruguay is not a team that’s complacent and know that Ghana tonight will be a tougher proposition than South Korea in the last round. And being the only African left in the tournament they will have the entire crowd at the Soccer City stadium behind them, but Uruguay have been there and done that in the 1950 final and they heard nothing.
Milovan Rajevac’s side know that their opponents in the quarter final are not here to make up the numbers. But they must have noticed that La Celeste’s stamina in the match against South Korea in the last round suffered in the second half. They must also be weary of a moment of sublime individual brilliance from Luis Suarez that made sure of their progress.
The Africans have proved to be the most physical side in this year’s tournament and they will present a big challenge to Uruguay tonight. If Uruguay comes through the stern test in the quarter final, a possible clash with either Brazil or Netherlands beckons in the semi final.
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