Balanced Uruguay poised for another bold showing

URUGUAYY were well off thhe pace set by Brazil and Argentinna in South Ammerican qualifying, but new mannager Diego Alonso appears to have instilled some optimismm ahead of the World Cup finals..

Alonso took over fromm veteran Oscar Tabarez, who was in charge for 15 yeaars, in December and has wonn seven of his nine matches at thhe helm.

The two-time winnerrs have been pitched in alongsiide familiar World Cup foess Ghana, who they beat inn controversial circumstaances in the quarter-finals in 20110, and Portugal, who were defeeated in the last 16 four years aggo.

Ev ventual winners France ende ed their run in the quarterfinals s in Russia, but it was anoth her strong showing from Urug guay, who have reached at least t the quarters in two of the last tthree World Cups.

Few w nations in Qatar will be as exxperienced with Fernando Musl lera, Diego Godin, Luis Suar ez and Edinson Cavani sport ting 559 caps between them m. And they are supported by soome exciting younger play yers, most notably

Liv verpool’s Darwin Nunez an nd Real Madrid’s Federico Va alverde.

Despite an attacking triumvirate t of Cavani, Suarez and Nunez, Uruguay netted just 22 times in 18 qualifiers and getting the best out of their forward line will be key to their chances in Qatar.

Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur and Roma man Matias Vecino provide balance in midfield while stalwarts Godin and Jose Gimenez marshal the defence. Barcelona’s promising Ronald Araujo was expected to miss the tournament through injury but has made the squad.

New boss Diego Alonso has brought about an improvement in fortunes after Tabarez’s departure and another run to the last eight is eminently possible for a squad who are heading to Qatar with a nice blend of youth and experience.

DLPortuguese coach Paulo Bento took over after the disappointing 2018 World Cup campaign and led his side to comfortably qualify. Korea won 2019 EAFF Championship under the 53-year-old but his preferred style of a patient build-up has been criticised.

• Son is one of the best players in

the world in his position

• Lost just one game in qualifying • Min-Jae Kim is a top central

defender

• Have reached the knockout stage only once in the last four attempts

• Beyond Son, there is a lack of

star quality

• Come up short against top-level opposition in the last 12 months