MONTEVIDEO: Uruguay will show no mercy to Jordan as they prepare to seal their World Cup qualifying berth here today after a first-leg thrashing of the Asian minnows which left them virtually assured of their ticket to Brazil.
The two-time world champions effectively need only to turn up for today’s game at the Centenario after dispatching the Jordanians with a 5-0 masterclass in last week’s away game in Amman.
Although it would take a result of miraculous proportions for Jordan to overturn the first leg scoreline, Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez is leaving nothing to chance and plans to pick a full-strength side.
That means Jordan’s defence can expect another torrid encounter with the South Americans, who are spearheaded by Liverpool striker Luis Suarez and Paris St Germain’s Edinson Cavani.
Tabarez said securing qualification in front of home fans would be a fitting finale to a gruelling qualification campaign which at one stage looked as if it may end in disaster for the 2010 World Cup semi-finalists.
“It’s very special and you hope to be able to celebrate after qualifying,” said Tabarez. “But there is one more match to go and we need to be sure we do things right,” he added.
Tabarez stopped short of naming his side but confirmed it would be based on the team which began the first leg in Amman, saying he was reluctant to pick players who had not had much game time. AFP
