Tabarez targeting France and happy with Uruguay’s preparation for FIFA World Cup 2010
Oscar Tabarez, the Uruguay coach has plans. Plans against France who are their competitors in the FIFA 2010 World Cup opener. Tabarez has mentioned that he would stick to the strengths of his team to defeat their rivals while also exploiting on their weaknesses.
The ‘La Celeste’ have been preparing for the tournament in secret at Montevideo. They have told media that they are formulating strategies against their group contenders, especially targeting the French team.
The Uruguay team will face the Les Bleus on the 11th of June in Cape Town. Stating on the situation Tabarez told, “I have been given the videos of France’s last two friendlies against Costa Rica and Tunisia. I will look at them and then I will do an analysis”.
He also said that they were trying to encounter France with full capacity but it would be prejudice to judge their skills against just them, he said, “One thing that is crystal clear is that we will study France but don't think for a minute that France will determine the way we play”.
He went further on to explain that he was being optimist and planning ahead for the encounters leaving nothing on chance and that all his informants were gathering information, while strategies and tactics were being designed and put into play every day.
“I think the videos will clarify some issues” Tabarez stated while complimenting staff, “However, we have to take them (opponents) for what they are”.
About his team’s participation in friendlies he said, “We know that teams are cautious in the warm-up friendlies as the start of the World Cup is coming very soon and it is logical that players don't want to get hurt”.
Tabarez on the other hand has omitted the Catania’s forward Jorge Martinez, River Plate’s midfielder Jorge Rodriguez and Nacional’s winger Alvaro Gonzalez from the final squad chosen for the World Cup.
With the trio gone the 26 man team is officialised as 23 men are ready to enter the tournament. The Uruguay’s 23-men World Cup squad now includes: Fernando Muslera (Lazio), Juan-Guillermo Castillo (Cali), Martin Silva (Defensor Sporting); Diego Lugano (Fenerbahce), Diego Godin (Villarreal), Andres Scotti (Colo Colo), Jorge Fucile (Porto), Martin Caceres (Juventus), Mauricio Victorino (Universidad de Chile), Maximiliano Pereira (Benfica); Walter Gargano (Napoli), Egidio Arevalo-Rios (Penarol), Sebastian Eguren, Diego Perez (Monaco), Alvaro Pereira (Porto), Alvaro Fernandez (Universidad de Chile), Ignacio Gonzalez (Valencia), Nicolas Lodeiro (Ajax); Sebastian Fernandez (Banfield), Luis Suarez (Ajax), Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid), Sebastian Abreu (Botafogo), Edinson Cavani (Palermo).
The announcement of the team came with much approval of the fans and the Uruguay board; all congratulating him for his well accepted list of players.
The coach himself thinks that he got the team right and has completed a brilliant first course of training. He also told that he was very pleased with the performance and preparations done by the players.
With the training ending in Montevideo for the ‘La Celeste’, Tabarez is very happy with way the team is progressing and believes at this rate they are bound to bring in something back for their country.
They have been lucky so far, not having many serious injuries or draw out from players. He said. “We have no injury concerns and everyone looks in good shape”.
He also said that those players that have arrived late will still have time to improve with a week left in the tournament. He stated, “Certain players that may have arrived with less playing time like (Juventus defender Martin) Caceres still have two weeks to improve their condition”.
He then added in reference to their coming match, “We will begin working on Thursday focusing on the tactics and concepts before our opening game against France”.
The Uruguay side is entering the tournament since 2002. They happen to be the first team to win the World Cup in 1930 and the only team who refused to defend their title. This Cup they are placed in Group A with South Africa, Mexico and France.
Tabarez told his objective at the World Cup, “Our aim is to do a good job at the World Cup and I have it very clear in my mind what we need to do”.
With their flight to South Africa they will set their camp in Kimberley.
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