What: FIFA Confederations Cup – Group B
Who: Uruguay vs Tahiti
When: Sunday 23rd June, 2013, at 20:00 UK Time
Where: Arena Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
Semi-finals Beckon For Uruguay After Crucial Win
Victory over Nigeria edges Uruguay closer to the last four, but there is still work to be done. They must, and should beat Tahiti for one thing. But should Nigeria pull off a shock win against Spain, Uruguay would need to pile on the goals. Tahiti will hope the Spanish have an easy night to ensure the Uruguayans go easy against them.
Coach Oscar Washington Tabarez reverted to old ways for the Nigeria game, bringing back the front three of Diego Forlan, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani – and it worked. Forlan was decisive, setting up one and then striking a sublime and crucial winning goal.
The Uruguayans will surely persist with all three and add some more attack minded central midfielders for the clash with Tahiti as they look to work up the goal difference. The semi-finals lie in wait with a win and quite possibly a match-up with Brazil for a place in the final. And with the World Cup a year away, that would be a timely reminder to Brazil of that match in 1950, when the Uruguayans snatched the trophy from their grasp. Could they do that again in the Confederations Cup?
Losers On The Pitch, Winners Off It
In the history books Tahiti will not be well remembered for their showing in this Confederations Cup, but one of the enduring images will be of their humble players taking in the adulation of the Maracana after their 10-0 thrashing by Spain, who showed their class in rushing off the pitch to let the islanders have their moment of glory.
As Eddy Etaeta, their coach put it, they were never going to win, but he was thrilled to have won over the Brazilian public, who booed Spain when they scored early on and showed their disapproval whenever the referee gave a decision against the plucky underdogs. But Tahiti have demonstrated to Brazil and the world that they were not here merely to sit back and defend, and have been brave in trying to play their own game against the world’s top teams. That was always going to see them come unstuck but the first half an hour against the Spanish, when they did not look out of place and enjoyed some good play in their opponents’ half, was refreshing.
Doubtlessly they will lose again in their final game but they won’t care less. Tahiti could lose 20-0 and still be heralded by their hosts. Some of their players, notably Steevy Chong Hue and Marama Vahirua, their one professional, could earn moves on the back of their admirable performances in Brazil. This last hurrah for Tahiti before they head home is sure to be memorable.
Recent form
Uruguay:
Veneuzuela 0-1 Uruguay (11//06; World Cup qualifying)
Spain 2-1 Uruguay (16/06; Confederations Cup)
Nigeria 1-2 Uruguay (20/06; Confederations Cup)
Tahiti:
New Caledonia 1-0 Tahiti (26/03; World Cup qualifying)
Nigeria 6-1 Tahiti (17/06; Confederations Cup)
Spain 10-0 Tahiti (20/06; Confederations Cup)
Key absences
Uruguay: Diego Lugano
Tahiti: None
Players to watch
Uruguay – Gaston Ramirez: Ramirez has not quite shone in the way he can so far but he will get an opportunity to show his class against Tahiti, who will be unable to close down the space he will look to work in. Ramirez’s lovely footwork and playmaking ability, and a devastating shot from range, will be on full display here as Uruguay go for goals.
Tahiti – Steevy Chong Hue: Chong Hue, the man who won the Oceania Nations Cup to send Tahiti to Brazil, has been one of their best performers so far. Against Spain on Thursday he showed what he is capable of with one slaloming run through the heart of the world champions’ midfield. Granted, Spain were not playing a full strength side, but it was still a team which would beat most if not all other sides in international football. Along with Vahirua, he is the most likely man to create a goalscoring opportunity for Tahiti.
Match Prediction
It will be interesting to see Uruguay take it upon themselves to attack more. With Cavani, Ramirez, Suarez and Forlan they are bound to carve out chance after chance, but Uruguay are more suited to sitting back and defending. This will serve a useful purpose for Tabarez though, who is trying to make his side more expansive.
If he can do that, he can get the best out of Cavani, who has struggled to replicate club form for his country. With Uruguay the Napoli man is often found helping out in his own half defensively and can therefore appear on the fringes of the game as he battles to get back into position going forward. He should enjoy more attacking freedom against Tahiti though and could fill his boots for once. Suarez could run riot if played.
Tahiti will do as they have for the last two games and play a high line, which will leave them dangerously exposed to Ramirez’s passes through to Suarez and Cavani. But they have shown enterprise in their games so far and may enjoy some decent passing moves. However, the likes of Arevalo Rios and Diego Godin, suspect against pace, may be well suited to stopping Tahiti, and will enjoy an easier run around where they can use their physique to stop their opponents. Plenty more plaudits for Tahiti will follow regardless, but Uruguay should ratchet up a large win. Uruguay 7-0 Tahiti.
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