Small nation, big ambition

MICHAEL COCKERILL
July 4, 2010

Analysis

THE greatest football nation on earth is Uruguay. For years the world has learned to dislike the side. Niggly, negative, at times nasty. The time has come to respect, admire and, perhaps, even love the side. Uruguay is through to the last four of the World Cup for the first time in 40 years.

The football world has changed dramatically since then. Uruguay's domestic league has crumbled like the facades of Montevideo's stunning buildings. But from those dusty streets, Uruguay keeps unearthing high-grade footballers. Tactically aware, technically proficient. A foundation as relevant as always, now embodied by a national team that has learnt to play the game with the right spirit. Because of those principles, the smallest country to have won the World Cup is just two games away from claiming football's greatest prize for the third time.

We must, of course, also salute Ghana. It should have won the epic quarter-final during extra time, but Asamoah Gyan smacked his penalty against the bar. Yes, a penalty before the penalties. Incredibly, in the 121st minute, Luis Suarez blocked a shot from Dominic Adiyiah on the line with his hand. Red card for Suarez, and down by the sideline Stephen Appiah was already celebrating. He should have known better than to tempt fate. The last kick of the game didn't end the game. Gyan showed enormous guts to take the first penalty of the shoot-out, and score. But skipper John Mensah and Adiyiah both struck tamely, and lamely. Big Sebastian Abreu didn't, producing one of the best penalties you'll ever see in such a pressure situation to end hopes of an African fairytale in Africa's first World Cup.

Instead it's Uruguay which lives to fight another day, although it goes into the semi-final against the Netherlands without Suarez and classy full-back Jorge Fucile, who are both suspended, while skipper Diego Lugano is facing a fitness battle. No matter, for ''Los Celeste'' is proving to be the textbook tournament team, getting better with each outing. The side still has Diego Forlan, arguably the player of the tournament.

It has clever midfielders Diego Perez and Egido Arvalo, and a staunch defence epitomised by the fact that the two central defenders, Mauricio Victorino and Andres Scotti, both took penalties in the shootout. Now that's belief.

Belief is coursing through the Uruguayan squad. History has shaped the reputation, but it has become a millstone in recent decades.

Finally, destiny is back in its hands.

Source: The Age


http://www.smh.com.au/world-cup-2010/world-cup-news/small-nation-big-ambition-20100703-zv17.html

You've got to hand it to Forlan's idols

MICHAEL COCKERILL
July 4, 2010 - 12:00AM

Hand of God? Cheating? Stereotypes are easy to push, but hard to shift.

Generations have grown up learning to dislike, even hate, Uruguay. The time has come to respect them, perhaps even love them. One of the smallest nations on Earth is into the semi-finals of the biggest event on Earth – the World Cup. Not for the first time but, incredibly, for the fifth time. And twice they have gone on to win football's greatest prize, albeit in the grainy days of newsreels. Talk about punching above their weight. The greatest football nation on Earth? You bet.

But prejudices are ingrained. Instead of being lauded, once again Los Celeste (the Sky Blues) are being derided. A cross, it seems, they have to bear.

Yes, Luis Suarez handled the ball on the line to deny Ghana a dramatic last-gasp winner. Sound familiar? Harry Kewell does likewise, and the sympathy vote goes into overdrive. Suarez, instead, is portrayed as a common criminal, a petty thief who robbed the Black Stars of a symbolic victory. But that's only because Asamoah Gyan missed his 121st-minute penalty. Against Australia, he scored.

Justice? Time stood still, 84,000 people inside Soccer City drew a deep breath, and hundreds of millions were glued to their television sets. At that moment, all the power in the world rested in Gyan's hands. That he didn't mete out justice to Uruguay is nobody's fault but his own. His shot hit the bar. Simple.

It wasn't a question of cheats prospering, it was a matter of Uruguay making the most of their reprieve. Ghana crumbled, not surprisingly. The belief drained out of the side. Tame, lame penalties from John Mensah and Dominic Adiyiah simply reflected the reality. This was unchartered territory for the Africans. The business end of the World Cup. It was familiar territory for Uruguay – not as a team, but as a nation.

The Uruguayan players have grown up hearing about the famous exploits of their forebears. A culture of success and expectation is imbued in all those who wear the sky-blue shirt. Uruguay were always going to handle the white-hot pressure of a shoot-out better than Ghana.

This was a belter of a quarter-final which deserves to be remembered for it's journey, not only the drama-charged ending.

Uruguay dominated the opening half hour. The movement, vision, and combination of Diego Forlan, Suarez and Edinson Cavani was too hot to handle for a Ghana defence exposed by a sloppy midfield where Anthony Annan, especially, was guilty of giving away cheap possession.

But the Black Stars regrouped, reorganised and responded. Kevin-Prince Boateng was the catalyst, imposing his physical presence to interrupt Uruguay's rhythm. Sulley Muntari scored just before half-time, and it was game on. The second half of normal time had a dream-like quality, two teams moving the ball at speed, thundering into tackles, looking for goals. Fittingly, it was Forlan who squared things up with a dipping, swerving, free-kick. Has there been a better player at the World Cup? Has there been a player with greater influence on his team? No. Forlan has always possessed a broad brush, but now – at the age of 31 – he's painting a masterpiece.

Extra time came and went, and Ghana had chances to write their own history. It was not be to, but not for want of trying.

Ghana have left the World Cup with an indelible impression and as the youngest team in South Africa, there's every reason to believe they can take the next step in four years time.

By then, Uruguay could be world champions for a third time. Unlikely, given Suarez and the impressive Jorge Fucile are suspended for the semi-final against the Netherlands, while skipper Forlan is racing time to be fit. But you write off this Uruguayan team at your peril. They're ready to make history, rather than be burdened by it. Cheats? What rot.


http://www.smh.com.au/world-cup-2010/world-cup-news/youve-got-to-hand-it-to-forlans-idols-20100703-zv4k.html

The greatest football nation on Earth?

lol wut?

Uruguay are faggots, fuck off with your subtle (or perhaps not-so-subtle) celebrations of Suaraz's cheating via avatar and signature.

Dick.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Roughly translates to "hur hur hur".

You are so tough behind your computer screen, call Uruguay 'faggots' in my face... ;)

I would if I were ever unfortunate enough to see you. Until then...

Uruguay are faggots.

And you're a hypocrite, being all arrogant about Uruguay's progression. Gloat about it to a Ghanains face... ;)

Uruguay are faggots, fuck off with your subtle (or perhaps not-so-subtle) celebrations of Suarez's cheating via avatar and signature.

Dick.

Edited by ual: 4/7/2010 11:26:25 PM

I would if I were ever unfortunate enough to see you. Until then...

Uruguay are faggots.

And you're a hypocrite, being all arrogant about Uruguay's progression. Gloat about it to a Ghanains face... ;)

I lol'd simply because of how much ual got sucked in. Does he not realise that the point of the sig and avatar was exactly this:lol: :lol: :lol: