PREVIEW
▲South Africa
▲Uruguay
PHOTO: AFP
Now that the pressure and tension of the opening day draw with Mexico is out of the way, South Africa are gaining confidence ahead of today’s match against a Uruguay lineup that could well field three strikers.
Although Mexico hit back in a 1-1 draw to deny the South Africans a victory at Soccer City on Friday, the hosts are satisfied that their overall performance in the game boosted their chances of beating two-time World Cup winners Uruguay at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria.
“We will be more relaxed against Uruguay now that we have Mexico out of the way. We were all nervous in that first game,” midfielder Steven Pienaar said. “But we got our act together in the second half and need to continue from there against Uruguay.”
With a match against France to follow at Bloemfontein on Tuesday, South Africa must avoid a loss against the Uruguayans, who opened with a scoreless draw against France to leave all four Group A teams with one point apiece. The French face Mexico at Polokwane tomorrow and both those teams will know exactly what they have to do to go top.
“We simply cannot afford to lose as that would mean playing catch-up in our final group match against France,” the Everton player said.
“We have to be fully focused against Uruguay, who are a well organized side defensively and have good attacking players. But the way we played in the second half against Mexico has given us a huge boost,” he said.
Siphiwe Tshabalala’s stunning strike against the Mexicans was one of the best ever goals in an opening game and lifted the confidence of a South African team under great pressure from the nation hosting the first World Cup on the African continent.
South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira is likely to recall experienced left-back Tsepo Masilela to the starting lineup in the only expected change. He replaced Lucas Thwala in the second half against the Mexicans.
Right-back Siboniso Gaxa said he and Masilela hoped to get forward against Uruguay.
“We will have to use our wingbacks more instead of pushing into the center of the field to try and pull the Uruguay defense away,” Gaxa said. “We have been working on this and aim to surprise Uruguay.”
Nicolas Lodeiro is missing for Uruguay after being sent off in the draw with France but he was not expected to start anyway.
Coach Oscar Tabarez has made other changes and adjusted his lineup to play with three forwards.
Diego Forlan is expected to drop deeper and play behind Luis Suarez and Edison Cavani.
“This is a different game and another rival with totally different tactics than ... France,” Tabarez said. “While we try not to depend too much on our rivals, we have to take into account what our rivals do.”
“With our group all level, we are not going to attack in desperation nor are we going to defend deeply. We have to show balance and patience,” he said.
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