Frank LorenzoUruguay and Costa Rica open the battle in group D of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil when they take the field of the Castelão Stadium, in Fortaleza, on June 14 at 3 PM ET.
Uruguay and Costa Rica open the battle in group D of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil when they take the field of the Castelão Stadium, in Fortaleza, on June 14 at 3 PM ET.
Uruguay is the head of the group, but not the favorite to finish first; Italy is, ‘the Charruas’ are second, England is third and Costa Rica is the longshot.
The Uruguayans probably go to the first game without striker Luis Suarez, who was outstanding this season in the English Premier League, but suffered a knee injury.
“I think, through the years, he has matured. He’s learned a lot from the things he’s been through and now he sums up the philosophy that I’ve brought here: the importance of the youth process and its contribution to the first team,” said coach Oscar Tabarez of Suarez.
“Think about losing the ball. The player has to make the right decision: he’s not only been a goalscorer in the Premier League, but the number of assists demonstrates his evolution and his understanding of the game,” he added.
Costa Rica has never beaten Uruguay; they have six losses and two draws in the series. These two met in the 2009 qualifying playoffs to South Africa 2010; the Uruguayans won 2-1.
‘Uruguay is robust and has important attackers,’ said Costa Rica’s coach Jorge Luis Pinto.
The 2014 World Cup odds have Uruguay listed -200 to get the win in this game; Costa Rica is +800 and the draw is +340.
