South American champions Uruguay are looking to kick-off their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign in style.
Copa America champions Uruguay will be looking to kick-off their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign with a positive result against Bolivia at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo on Friday. The Uruguayans are passing through an incredible phase, as not only did they reach the semi-finals of last year's World Cup in South Africa, but they lifted a record fifteenth Copa America title in Argentina last July.
La Celeste come into the clash as the overwhelming favorites, not only due to their current form but because the two previous times they met Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier in Montevideo they won by a 5-0 score-line.
Furthermore, Oscar Washington Tabarez, the coach of Uruguay, will be able to count with his lethal three-man strike-force of Diego Forlan, Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez. Uruguay’s attack proved the difference at the Copa America, with Forlan scoring twice and Suarez adding the other as they trounced Paraguay 3-0 in the final.
Due to their depth in the front-line, Tabarez has confirmed a very attacking-minded 3-4-3 tactical formation which is expected to pile heavy pressure on the Bolivian defense throughout the encounter. Uruguay have a great deal of experience under their belt, and will hope to continue with their winning ways.
Bolivia, on the other hand, haven't had too much to cheer about lately. After holding Argentina to an unexpected 1-1 draw in their Copa America debut they went on to lose their following two games, bowing out at the group stage. The Bolivians haven’t qualified for the World Cup since 1994, and know that in order to return to the world stage they will have to improve significantly this time around.
Gustavo Quinteros, the coach of Bolivia, understands that his team will need to be at their best in order to return home with a positive result, and made it clear that he would be more than happy to settle for a point:
“Today if they tell me to sign for a draw I would, because Uruguay aren't only the champions of [South] America, but they are also a team that find themselves at the [same] level as the best teams of the world,” he affirmed.
Bolivia, who finished second from bottom in their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, will heavily rely on the firepower of Shakhtar Donetsk striker Marcelo Martins Moreno if they aim to find the back of the net in Montevideo.
The high ticket prices for the match means that right up until Wednesday night, fewer than 20,000 tickets were sold. Nevertheless, a large attendance is expected at the Centenario stadium, site of the first ever World Cup final back in 1930.
La Celeste come into the clash as the overwhelming favorites, not only due to their current form but because the two previous times they met Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier in Montevideo they won by a 5-0 score-line.
Furthermore, Oscar Washington Tabarez, the coach of Uruguay, will be able to count with his lethal three-man strike-force of Diego Forlan, Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez. Uruguay’s attack proved the difference at the Copa America, with Forlan scoring twice and Suarez adding the other as they trounced Paraguay 3-0 in the final.
Due to their depth in the front-line, Tabarez has confirmed a very attacking-minded 3-4-3 tactical formation which is expected to pile heavy pressure on the Bolivian defense throughout the encounter. Uruguay have a great deal of experience under their belt, and will hope to continue with their winning ways.
Bolivia, on the other hand, haven't had too much to cheer about lately. After holding Argentina to an unexpected 1-1 draw in their Copa America debut they went on to lose their following two games, bowing out at the group stage. The Bolivians haven’t qualified for the World Cup since 1994, and know that in order to return to the world stage they will have to improve significantly this time around.
Gustavo Quinteros, the coach of Bolivia, understands that his team will need to be at their best in order to return home with a positive result, and made it clear that he would be more than happy to settle for a point:
“Today if they tell me to sign for a draw I would, because Uruguay aren't only the champions of [South] America, but they are also a team that find themselves at the [same] level as the best teams of the world,” he affirmed.
Bolivia, who finished second from bottom in their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, will heavily rely on the firepower of Shakhtar Donetsk striker Marcelo Martins Moreno if they aim to find the back of the net in Montevideo.
The high ticket prices for the match means that right up until Wednesday night, fewer than 20,000 tickets were sold. Nevertheless, a large attendance is expected at the Centenario stadium, site of the first ever World Cup final back in 1930.
