Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Oscar Tábarez (Uruguay) : Pressure is on Holland

Press Association
guardian.co.uk,
Oscar Tabarez and Luis Suarez
Enjoying the moment: Uruguay's coach Óscar Tábarez and Luis Suárez in training ahead of tonight's semi-final against Holland. Photograph: Helmut Fohringer/EPA

Uruguay's coach, Óscar Tabárez, believes the pressure is all on Holland when they play their World Cup semi-final at the Green Point stadium tonight.

The Dutch, with players 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, Tabárez 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."

Holland won all eight of their qualifying matches and have a 100% record in five matches in South Africa, including knocking out Brazil 2-1 in the quarter-final.

Tabárez believes the key to his team's success is keeping Robben under control, although he rejected suggestions that the Bayern Munich winger is a diver.

"He's a great footballer," said Tabárez . "He's very fast, very nimble, very long strides. When he shifts his body, it's difficult to react. With Robben back, this Holland side benefits greatly. They were already very good without him, but now they have him contributing as well.

"Like any footballer who is hit on the pitch, well, I wouldn't say he is a 'cheat'. These are things that happen in football. It's up to the referee to determine the players' intentions."

Tabárez admits Uruguay have not played brilliantly at this World Cup but still dreams of the South Americans 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."Uruguay, netherlands, hollande, World Cup, FIFA, Tábarez , hollande, semi-finals,

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