FIFA World Cup 2014: Liverpool link to dominate discussions England face Uruguay
19 Jun 2014 1:55 PM IST
Suarez to face his Liverpool teammates as England face Uruguay
England players will have tough job to keep Suarez quiet (Photo : AP)
Rio de Janeiro: England and Uruguay are in the same boat ahead of their crucial Group D meeting in Sao Paulo on Thursday. A defeat will spell doom for both teams, notwithstanding a slim mathematical possibility.
Not progressing to the second round for the first time since 1958 is a looming threat for the Three Lions. The two teams are fretting over their star players for different reasons. There has been a raging debate regarding the form and position of Wayne Rooney.
The Manchester United superstar was asked to train with reserves.
England gave a good account of themselves in their opener against Italy even though the result wasn’t in favour of them. English pundits would be rubbing their eyes in disbelief when they read the statistic that Roy Hodgson’s team completed close to 90% of their passes in the Italian half. Liverpool ace Raheem Sterling was outstanding in the first match.
The fearless youngster put in a sterling performance indeed by taking the game to the Italians. His enterprise would be critical for England as they seek to extend their stay in this beautiful country.
England’s memories from the last World Cup in Brazil 64 years ago are bitter. They suffered the ultimate humiliation of losing to the USA enroute to a first round exit. England returned home from the first World Cup they deigned to play with a realisation that the world had moved ahead of them in the game they had invented.
The defence must improve if a similar fate weren’t to befall on them again.
The snootiness had gone in the wake of a litany of failed attempts since the high at Wembley in 1966. Even for a country that is not so familiar with success in recent decades, going out after three matches will be a disaster. How can England leave a World Cup without losing on penalties?
Uruguay must equally be desperate to open their account. First, the South Americans have to recover from the shock of crashing to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Costa Rica. Cats may have nine lives but teams can’t afford two losses in the opening round of the World Cup.
The Uruguayans may have to invoke the spirit of their 1950 team that won the World Cup in Brazil, causing indescribable anguish to the hosts in the process. Suarez can’t come back soon enough. The Liverpool sharpshooter is one of the best in the business.Even more important than his undoubted efficiency in front of goal is his hunger for success.
The dynamic forward Luis Suarez is set to make a comeback for Uruguay after winning a fitness race.
Suarez is not a stranger to sinking his teeth on human flesh, will try to bite the hands that feed him on Thursday. In essence, the performance of Liverpool players will decide the fate of the intriguing clash.
( Source : t.n. raghu )
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