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Stroke of luck?

Comment: 0 August 7th, 2011 by: admin
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BEWARE Argentina and Brazil!

Uruguay, the giants lulled into long sleep in South American football, have resurfaced onto the scene and are threatening to reclaim glory in the continent.

Winning the recent Copa America title said it all, an indication that the Uruguayans are ready to throw their weight around once more and stamp themselves as the leading superpower in the region.

But can they sustain the momentum? Can their players retain the championship swagger that carried them to their latest success?

Clearly, the Copa America was just the appetiser on their championship menu because there is an even more mouth-watering target on their agenda — winning the 2014 World Cup.

If they surprisingly tasted their recent triumph with relative ease, the World Cup dream provides a seemingly endless blockage before it is realised.

GLORIOUS FEAT

But then again, the Uruguayans are still basking in their magnificent feat in South America’s most prestigious football tournament.

Their fate was already written in the stars after they knocked out hosts Argentina 5-4 (1-1) on penalties in the quarterfinals. The 2011 Copa America crown was ready for the taking.

Peru came next and Uruguay swept them aside 2-0. Then only Paraguay stood in their way. As Brazil was similarly dispatched by Paraguay 2-0 on penalties in the other semifinals pairing, Uruguay’s path toward etching their names in history books became clearer.

With their biggest stars saving their best and rising to the occasion for the most important match, Uruguay blew past Paraguay 3-0 in the final to claim a record 15th title that enabled them to topple Argentina off the perch for having the most titles in the meet.

Diego Forlan woke up from a scoring slump and banged in two goals while Luis Suarez added another as Paraguay reigned as kings anew since they last tasted success in 1995.

ALL IN THE FAMILY

The win gave Forlan something to cherish about because it did not only bring him back to his scoring ways (he has not found the back of the net in 12 matches prior to the final) but more importantly, it continued a winning family tradition in the event.

His grandfather Juan Carlos Corazo won the Copa America. His father Pablo did it, too. And Forlan simply carried on the success towards a niche in the continent’s football history books.

As for Suarez, the triumph capped a marvellous stint that saw him being named the meet’s best player.

But after that triumph, what would be next for Forlan, Suarez and of course, Uruguay?

For Forlan, another season awaits at Atletico Madrid in the Spanish La Liga. For Suarez, another campaign with Liverpool in the English Premier League is in the offing.

By the time the World Cup is held two years from now, Forlan will be 35 years old and Suarez 27. No problem.

STILL RARING TO GO

Barring any injuries, Forlan will still be in fighting shape and hopefully go for his last hurrah in his international career. He won the Golden Ball as the best player in South Africa, scoring a total of five (5) goals along the way. The Montevideo-born striker surely wants to leave the scene in a memorable way and will try to add to his 31 goals he scored so far for his country.

As for Suarez, he would be at his peak form and remain as the other half of Uruguay’s lethal striking force.

The former Ajax standout known as “El Pistolero’’ (The Gunner) is also seeking to make amends for the blunder he committed in the last World Cup. He made news around the world during their quarterfinal game against Ghana after he handled the ball on the line in the final minute of extra-time and then rejoiced over Asamoah Gyan’s succeeding penalty miss. This earned him a suspension in their semifinals fixture against the Netherlands.

All eyes will be on Forlan and Suarez when they set out playing for their respective teams in the coming season. And then the pressure brought about by the Copa America victory would pose a burden on their shoulders as they aim to give their country another boost in the coming Brazil hostilities.

Not only would they encounter South America’s best. The finest in Europe, Asia and the rest of the world are also laying down their cards.

Argentina, with Lionel Messi as spearhead, and Brazil, pinning much hopes on the promising Neymar when they play on homegrounds, would surely be dying to bounce back. Holders Spain and losing finalists the Netherlands will be solid contenders, too.

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT

But Forlan and Suarez are used to this kind of atmosphere. They have been there before and know exactly what to do. Uruguay, who hogged the limelight like the ear-splitting vuvuzelas in the last World Cup, need them for their 12th appearance in the fabled tournament.

Uruguay came near yet so far in the South Africa wars. They reached the semifinals for the first time since 1970 by hurdling Ghana 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. However, they failed to get past the Netherlands 2-3 in the Final 4 before eventually losing to Germany 2-3 in the battle for third place.

The recent Copa America triumph was a huge motivation for La Celeste to get into the thick of things again in the World Cup. The last time they held the Jules Rimet Trophy (now the FIFA World Cup Trophy) aloft was in 1950, or 20 years after being crowned the tournament’s first champions in 1930. With a population of only 3.5 million people, Uruguay is by far the smallest country to have won a World Cup.

The only thing Forlan and Suarez should bear in mind is that complacency should not come in the way.

TEAM EFFORT

Teamwork remains the foremost factor in achieving something great in sport and Uruguay showed they are rock-solid in this aspect. Aside from Forlan and Suarez, the team have an abundance of talents currently on their roster like forward Edinson Cavani, and defenders Maxi Pereira and Diego Lugano, to name a few.

Uruguay are known for their brilliant, clinical plays and effective counter-attacking style – weapons they should hold intact as they strive to scale more heights in the future.

Between now and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, a lot of things, beneficial or otherwise, will transpire and test their resolve.

The dynamic duo of Forlan and Suarez should not rest on their laurels. Gifting Uruguay with the Copa America may just be the tip of the iceberg. And it’s still a long, long way to go before the moment of truth sets down in the land of carnivals and samba music.

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