Holland v Uruguay preview - Uruguay boss relishing underdog role
Oscar Tabarez(credit:
Wikipedia)
Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez believes his side can play with freedom in Cape Town tonight as the pressure is all on Holland ahead of their World Cup semi-final.
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The Dutch, with big stars such as Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder, have been a football nation of underachievers since they reached back-to-back World Cup finals in 1974 and 1978.
And while Uruguay have won the trophy twice, in 1930 and 1950, Tabarez said: “The Dutch side will feel the burden of expectation far more than us. No-one really believes in us and the possibility we might win.
“We have to enjoy the World Cup and the match, make the most of it, because we know millions will be watching these players. This is a challenge, but also a reason for great happiness.”
The South Americans are 5/2 underdogs with Blue Square to reach the final and can be backed at 5/1 to beat the Dutch in normal time.
Tabarez admits Uruguay have not played brilliantly at this World Cup but still dreams of the country returning to former glories, even if they are hampered by the attraction of Europe’s money-laden leagues.
“We have a long way to go,” he said. “The world nowadays is very different to that in the first half of the 20th century, when Uruguay hardly lost a match.
“The gap is widening more and more between the first and the third world. There is increasing independence of players going to Europe to earn their trade and that weakens our football.
“It would be a dream to become a footballing power again, but the world hasn’t changed because we’ve won a few matches.”