By NESTOR F. SEBASTIAN
It's been all business in the Uruguayan and Costa Rican camps this week, ahead of their first-leg playoff match at San Jose's Saprissa stadium, with no bulletin-board material or off-key quotes to rile each other up.
Instead, it's generally been a pleasant environment for players, media corps and managers, both of whom have praised each other's squad's games and achievements but have also divulged very little information on their respective teams' workouts.
A majority of Uruguay's players, including Atletico Madrid's Diego Forlan, have been in Guatemala since Monday, training on artificial turf in one of Guatemala City's training centers in anticipation of the famed surface in Saprissa. But most of the players have brushed off the effects of the field. Even manager Oscar Washington Tabarez, who appeared somewhat miffed at the constant questions about the Ticos' home-field advantage at a press conference this week, labeled it a non-issue.
Meanwhile, the Costa Ricans are in good spirits and have been straight-laced in their statements to the press, proclaiming respect for the Uruguayans but firmly indicating that there is no fear. Tico fans and press realize the tradition that Uruguay boast and the type of players it produces but Costa Rica have developed their own tradition, albeit a recent one, but nonetheless a growing one that's seen its national team qualify to the World Cup in the past two editions with its most successful one in 1990 when they reached the second round.
Right-back Gilberto Martinez (Brescia, Italy), dropped last month for hitting the beach when he was supposed to report to camp prior to the Ticos' final two qualifiers, is back and will be needed to man a defense that will be responsible for a potentially dangerous Uruguayan attack. Young starlet Bryan Ruiz (Twente, Holland), a name that U.S. fans should know after his brace in last month's 2-2 draw in D.C. will look to form a decent offensive platform in the Tico artillery along with Walter Centeno (Saprissa) and top goalscorer veteran Rolando Fonseca (Comunicaciones, Guatemala).
On the other side, Uruguay will pair Luis Suarez (Ajax, Holland) with Forlan with veteran Sebastian Abreu (Aris Thessaloniki, Greece) as another option. The Charruas will be missing four players through suspension including Martin Caceres (Juventus, Italy) and Diego Perez (Monaco, France) but Tabarez did call up exciting youngster Nicolas Lodeiro (Nacional) for his first cap.
With Saprissa rocking Saturday night, the Ticos will have a chance to pounce on an unsuspecting Uruguay squad that is not familiar with Central American style as well as the artificual turf, that no matter what the players say, will indeed have an effect on the management of Uruguay's play. Also, consider that Uruguay is a classic Jeckyl-and-Hyde side that have looked brilliant in some matches during South American qualifying against some of the top sides but looked lackluster at other times
against minnows.
Costa Rica will need all the advantage it could take. Wenesday's second-leg match at the famed Centenario stadium will be a whole other story.
Is Uruguay too strong for Costa Rica? Or will Costa Rica brush off the underdog status? What do you think of the CONMEBOL-CONCACAF playoff? Share your thoughts below.
