Copa loss bitter end for transitional Uruguay: Coach Tabarez

Uruguay were the defending champions of the Copa America

Santiago, June 25 (IANS) Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez was disappointed to see his Uruguay side eliminated from the Copa America, but believes they are on the right path for the future.

Uruguay kept Wednesday's quarter-final game scoreless for the first half, but then had Edinson Cavani dismissed shortly after the hour mark, and Mauricio Isla's strike nine minutes from time gave Chile a 1-0 win at the Estadio Nacional stadium.

It brings an end to Uruguay's defence of the title that they won in 2011, but Tabarez believes there are some positives to take away. "I have a bitter taste in my mouth because the Copa ended for us," he said in a news conference after the match on Wednesday.

"We've shown a rebuilding process. I believe we played a good match when you consider the rival we had to face. We didn't have attacking chances. When we went down to 10 men, it made it a little harder."

Tabarez and Jorge Fucile also were sent off early as referee Sandro Ricci disciplined Uruguay for a confrontation late in the match. The coach said he regretted his role in the incident and was pleased nothing more serious occurred.

"I apologise because I don't have to leave the technical area, I went out there," he said. Luckily, more things didn't happen."