Uruguay

Two time World champions Uruguay were the last team to qualify for this years Word Cup, and they only made it by the skin of their teeth. Having finished fifth in the South American qualifying marathon,. they were forced into a play-off for the third successive time. Rather than Australia, they were faced with Costa Rica, qualifiers for the last two tournaments. A comfortable 1-0 win away should have effectively secured their place in South Africa, but they experienced a scare back in Montevideo, as the central Americans saw a late goal disallowed. They game finished 1-1. 

With that came joyous scenes in both the Centenario and across the capital. Uruguay were back in the Mundial for the first time since 2002. Their rightful place at the top table has been assured. 

La Celeste's glorious history has often been a hindrance to present day teams. Expectations are often far too high and unrealistic due to their two World Cup triumphs in 1930 and 1950 and Olympic victories in 1924 and 1928. The manageable group and quality of some of this generations players have caused optimism back home, but a return to the glory days is not expected this summer. 

The enormity of those achievements are put in perspective with the realisation that only six smaller countries have ever taken part in the World Cup (Wales, Slovenia, Trinidad & Tobago, Northern Ireland, Kuwait and Jamaica), and their world ranking in 2010 is still a respectable 18th.

SCHEDULE- GROUP A

France              June 11th- Cape Town

South Africa     June 16th- Pretoria

Mexico             June 22nd- Rustenburg

The draw has given Uruguayans reason to be optimistic, but the same can be said for all four nations. France will begin the campaign as favourites no doubt but the South Americans will be hopeful of springing a surprise in not only there first game but beyond that too.

Realistically however, even a draw would be satisfactory from the game with France and that will be ideal preparation leading into the final two games with the hosts and finally, the Mexicans, in what will potentially be a play off for the final qualification berth.

Like most teams playing in South Africa, Uruguay are faced with long journeys, particularly from Cape Town to the high veldt of Pretoria. They will be more familiar with altitude than most however, from their regular trips to La Paz to take on Bolivia. In qualification for this tournament, a 2-2 draw was achieved there, faring far batter than biggest rivals Argentina, who went down 6-1.

KEY PLAYERS   

Oscar Tabarez's team may have some talented individuals playing with some of Europe's top clubs but their strenght lies in their organisation and team spirit. Uruguay is a proud nation, sandwiched between Argentina and Brazil on the eastern coast of the South American continent. In football terms, their history is a proud one, and the players are all too aware of that. The legacy that proceeds them will be as much motivation this summer as any words from the coach.

Traditionally, Uruguay's are associated with a physical approach to the game. That reputation was not synonymous with quick passing teams of the 1920s and 30s but has become common since. Martin Caceres, Diego Godin and Diego Lugano encapsulate this modern stereotype of Uruguayan defenders. All three have carved out respecatble club careers in Europe, most notably Caceres who has spent the last season on loan with Juventus from Barcelona. His playing opportunities have been somewhat limited in the past two years, but Godin has been far more consistent with Villarreal, and is an ever present in the starting line up. Lugano is the squad captain, and has been an ever present in the team since 2003.

In midfield, high profile players are scarce, and much hope will be placed on the country's attacking stars. The trio of Diego Forlan, Luis Suarez and Sebastian Abreu will be expected to inspire the team to victories. Forlan has completed yet another successful season in Spain with Atletico Madrid, scoring the two goals that delivered Atleti their first European trophy in 48 years. Suarez is the captain of Ajax, and has continued his high rate of goalscoring in 2010. Journeyman striker Abreu plays in Brazil with Botafogo, and has scored 28 goals in his 56 international appearances, a rate of one in every two. 

Such spectacular form will be needed from all three if Uruguay are to progress from the group stage, a feat which they failed to manage when grouped with France in 2002.

ONE TO WATCH- Luis Suarez

BEST CASE SCENARIO...

Considering the proposition facing La Celeste in the second round, reaching that level may be the height of their expectations. Argentina are expected to top Group B, and with their attacking options will be favourites to beat most teams. Uruguay however, may relish the opposition to take on their more illustrious neighbours and big rivals. A quarter final appearance would be an astounding achievement for Uruguay, considering their recent footballing history.

WORST CASE SCENARIO...

The worst possible outcome would be to exit the tournament without winning a game. Failure to beat South Africa in particular will not be greeted well back in Montevideo. If the front three fail to sparkle then it will be a case of opportunity missed. 

PREDICTION

The Uruguayans should enter the final round of games with a chance to progress to the second round. A three way shoot out with Mexico and France for the top two places could go down to the last match. In such an instance, La Celeste will be the underdogs, as the other tow teams have far stronger World Cup pedigree, but qualification will be a distinct possibility.