London Olympics 2012: Preview to Uruguay’s football team

A brief history

The South American giants are often shunned from the limelight by their successful neighbours, Brazil. The Brazilians and the Argentinians were among the favourites at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, but terrific performances by the Uruguayans saw them reach the semis. Before the World Cup, the South Americans never had a chance to take on the European powers on a grand stage. Consecutive golds in Paris and Amsterdam in 1924 and 1928 asserted their dominance, but unfortunately that was to be their last appearance at the Olympics.

Uruguay coach, Oscar Washington Tabarez has made it clear that he will be doing everything within his power to ensure a gold medal. They have been placed in Group A along with UAE, Senegal and Great Britain. Not the easiest of groups with team GB ready to provide a stiff competition. But nevertheless Cavani, Suarez and Arevala Rios are expected to lead the team with their experience and expertise.

The 22-man squad

Goalkeepers: Martin Campana (Cerro Largo), Leandro Gelpi (Penarol)

Defenders: Sebastian Coates (Liverpool), Diego Polenta (Genoa), Ramon Arias (Defensor Sporting), Alexis Rolin (Nacional), Emiliano Albin (Penarol).

Midfielders: Egidio Arevalo Rios (Palermo), Nicolas Lodeiro (Ajax), Matias Aguirregaray (Palermo), Gaston Ramirez (Bologna), Maximiliano Calzada (Nacional), Diego Rodriguez (Defensor Sporting)

Forwards: Luis Suarez (Liverpool), Edinson Cavani (Napoli), Abel Hernandez (Palermo), Jonathan Urretaviscaya (Vitoria Guimaraes), Tabare Viudez (Nacional)

Replacements: Alejandro Silva (Fenix), Marcelo Silva (Penarol), Federico Pintos (Defensor Sporting), Martin Rodriguez (Wanderers)

What to expect from them?

Their seniors won the Copa- America and it would be foolish to under estimate their juniors. Failure to reach at least the semifinals would be a huge disappointment for the country. A very lethal and mature attack is going to prove very tough for the opposition defense to control. A gold in London would increase their stature and increase their dominance in the Americas as well.

Key Player – Edinson Cavani

The thought of Cavani haunts the minds of many European teams. It would be interesting to see if he can carry his amazing form into the Olympics and by partnering with Liverpool talisman Luis Suarez upfront, the destruction they could cause is unimaginable. Linked to each and every top European club out there, Cavani has a point to prove to many of his critics and he could just about end up doing that by grabbing a medal in London.