FORTALEZA // Diego Forlan played down Uruguay's loss to Costa Rica on Saturday night, insisting it changes very little in their quest to progress. The former Atletico Madrid striker helped lead his country to the semi-finals in South Africa four years ago, but in Uruguay's opening Group D match they fell to a shock 3-1 defeat.
Uruguay, winners the last time a World Cup was played in Brazil in 1950, took the lead against an unfancied Costa Rica side courtesy of an Edinson Cavani penalty, but the tie was turned on its head when Joel Campbell and Oscar Duarte fired two quick goals early in the second half. Marco Urena added a third for the underdogs late on.
"They scored two goals in three minutes and that made it difficult," Forlan, who now plays in Japan with Cerezo Osaka, said. "We knew it was going to be a difficult group, even this game and when they scored two goals so close together it was not easy to react. Now we have two tough games against England and Italy, but even if we had won this game we knew it was going to be difficult to qualify so nothing changes. We have to train well and be prepared for England."
Forlan's teammate Alvaro Gonzalez was more downbeat. "Before it was tough," he said. "Now it is nearly impossible."
Uruguay's chances of turning their campaign around will rely heavily on the involvement of Luis Suarez, the prolific Liverpool striker recovering from knee surgery. Suarez appeared on the bench in Fortaleza and looked set to feature when he laced his boots up, but coach Oscar Tabarez did not risk him, revealing he still has lingering doubts regarding the forward's fitness.
Forlan stressed the important of having Suarez back firing for their match with England on Thursday. "He is very important to us and hopefully he will train well and be ready for the next game," Forlan said. "Every player wants to play in the World Cup and Luis is no different and, of course, against England it will be extra special for him."
Suarez finished top goalscorer in England last season, netting 31 times for Liverpool and helping them qualify for Champions League football for the first time since 2009.
gmeenaghan@thenational.ae
Diego Forlan: ‘nothing changes’ after Costa Rica World Cup shock
The forward played down Uruguay’s loss to Costa Rica on Saturday night, insisting it changes very little in their quest to progress out of Group D.
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