Uruguay striker Diego Forlan has declared that his nation won’t dwell on the past at this summer’s tournament.
The South Americans are preparing to face France on the opening day of SA2010 but, despite three World Cup titles between the two opponents, 31-year-old Forlan is living firmly in the present.
“It doesn’t matter how we got here,” he declared, referring to Uruguay’s play-off victory over Costa Rica that booked their place in this year’s finals. “All that matters is that we are here now, at the World Cup. We are not worried about the ghosts of matches past.”
2006 runners-up France also needed a slice of play-off fortune to reach South Africa, after a disappointing qualification campaign, but Forlan refuses to take anything for granted.
“How they qualified isn’t significant either,” he continued. “They have some excellent players and it’ going to be a very difficult match.”
That said, the Athletico Madrid man is well aware of his own country’s World Cup pedigree as two-time winners and hosts of the first ever tournament in 1930.
“Uruguayan football has a rich history, marked by great victories, trophies and accomplishments,” recalled Forlan, whose own father Pablo represented his country in the 1966 and 1974 finals. Now it’s own turn to leave an impression on the World Cup. And even though we know it won’t be easy, we’re very hopeful. There is nothing to improve,” he added. “We’ve got a great bunch of footballers who all get on very well together. We want to get past the group phase. After that, it’s knockout football, and in a one-off match, anything can happen.”
Uruguay boss Oscar Tabarez has already named his starting line-up for the encounter with France, making just two alterations from the side that beat Israel 4-1 on May 27.
Uruguay (vs France): Muslera, Lugano, Victorino, M. Pereira, Godin, Perez, Rios, Gonzalez, A. Pereira, Suarez, Forlan.
Tags: Diego Forlan, Uruguay
