Uruguay welcome CONMEBOL defending champions Brazil on Saturday, June 6, at the Centenario stadium as qualification for the World Cup resumes in South America.
Both teams will enter the game with the fervent desire of clinching all three points. Brazil are very much on course to qualifying for the World Cup finals in South Africa, despite occupying only the second place in the table behind leaders Paraguay.
As for Uruguay, things have toughened up if they are to snick a way through to the promise land. The Olympic Sky Blue failed to collect a vital away win against Chile in their last qualifier.
After a goalless draw in Santiago, Uruguay consequently lie fifth in the table, just one place behind Argentina, and three points above the Colombians. But the gap is closing up between fifth-placed Uruguay who have 17 points and seventh-placed Ecuador who have 14 points. Uruguay surely have some work to do if they want to seal themselves a place in South Africa 2010. Even the play-off spot isn’t guaranteed. They need to catch up Argentina who have slipped unto fourth in the table, and cool down the pressure created by the likes of Colombia, and Ecuador by giving their maximum in their six remaining matches. One of them includes a home encounter against Brazil, and there is no doubt about the difficulty of this game.
Uruguay certainly know all about Brazil’s wrath of getting behind in important games. Uruguay were leading 1-0 after only nine minutes when they played away to Brazil in the first part of their qualification campaign. But a brace from Sevilla’s striker Luis Fabiano in the 44th and in the 65th minutes cancelled Uruguay’s opener and gave victory to Brazil at the end of the ninety minutes.
The Uruguayans would want no repeat of that when they host rivals Brazil, although the visitors go into the game as favorites.
A good win for the Samba boys on April 1st against Peru, while foes Argentina suffered a 6-1 trashing in Bolivia, moved Brazil a step further to completely sealing their place in the top four of South America’s 10-team table.
Former captain and current coach Carlos Dunga seemed to have responded to the fans’ criticism after managing some good wins this year – be it in a friendly or a competitive match.
The 45-year-old boss could boost his image and cool down the pressure that is on Brazil’s national team by re-calling one of Brazil’s finest players of all time who comes in no other name than Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima.
The three-time World Footballer of the Year looks to be back to his best after suffering some years under the effects of obesity and therefore, lack of match fitness.
Ronaldo’s returning to the squad will come as something new to Dunga’s Brazilian team. The coach had completely ousted the 32-year-old striker from his thoughts by omitting him not only from the starting line-up, but also from the entire Brazilian selection since 2007.
After upping their performance in their last games, Brazil are not far away from qualifying to the World Cup finals in South Africa. Ronaldo has clearly cited his envy to play for the national team at the World Cup, and Dunga is now keen to welcome him back into the team.
“I’ve said already that the national team doors are open for any player who is technically good enough,” Dunga said in a news conference earlier in May.
“He is certainly in excellent form and is being watched by the technical staff.
“It’s the first time since 2006 that he has managed to play more than 10 games in a row, so the trend is for him to progress.
“Ronaldo has never stopped scoring goals,
“He knows his potential. There is one year between now and the World Cup for everyone to work and earn a chance,” Dunga concluded.
Ronaldo may add more fire to Brazil’s striking forces already composed of Luis Fabiano, Wagner Love and Manchester City’s ace Robinho.
After an unsuccessful spell at AC Milan emphasized by a grave knee injury, the number 9 opted to switch to Corinthians where he now seems to have found back his love for football. Ronaldo has played 13 games for the club and has scored an impressive number of 10 goals already. Uruguay’s defense will need to be very composed if they want to keep Ronaldo from working wonders.
However, it doesn’t mean that the Brazilians will be under no threat. Uruguay’s Diego Forlan could make the damage at the other end of the pitch. The Atletico Madrid forward is enduring some tough times in club football to help his team qualify to the Champions League for the second year running. But an extraordinary strike against Espanyol in Atletico Madrid’s 3-2 comeback could give Forlan the much-needed confidence that Uruguay might seek.
Written by: Angela Asante
