Uruguay, compelled to win

Uruguay, ranked sixth, will host Venezuela, who will try to claim another historic win in round 5 of the South American Qualifiers. Watch it Live on JumpTV.
Uruguay didn't have a good start at the Qualifiers because they won just one game of four (5-0 against Bolivia in their debut), while they drew one (2-2 against Chile at home) and lost the remainder (0-1 to Paraguay, 1-2 to Brazil).

Despite the team coached by Oscar Washington Tabarez had a good performance in both defeats, especially during the game against the Scratch, those bad results make them be in an awful spot at the standings, with just four points.

Tabarez and several players agree that a win over the Venezolan and over the Peruvian (this game will be held on June 17 in Montevideo) would mean "a breath of fresh air".

"We're sure two wins will help us improve our rank in the standings, especially because some of the teams ranked above us will clash among them", striker, top scorer Sebastian Abreu said.

Tabarez won't count on Cristian Rodriguez, suspended due to aggregate yellow cards.

The coach will field a 4-3-3 strategy, insisted on his midfielders and strikers should work hard to break down a probable Venezolan tough defensive line.

Regarding Venezuela, they did have a great start at the Qualifiers since they won 5-3 over Bolivia at home, ousted 1-0 over Ecuador previously. But they lost to Argentina at home, lost to Colombia away.

This game also means Cesar Farias's official debut as Venezuela coach; he took over from Richard Paez, who is considered the "father" of the Venezolan soccer revolution.

Venezuela arrived in Montevideo full of hopes after they claimed their first win over Brazil: the score was 2-0 in a friendly game held in Boston last week.

During last Qualifiers for 2006 Germany World Cup, Venezuela shocked Uruguay with a 3-0 win at Centenario stadium; of course, they long for a sequel two years later. The worst thing of such a historic win was then Uruguay coach Juan Ramon Carrasco was fired.

Farias wants his keeper not to feel the pressure, so he will field a four-man defensive line, a five-man midfield and just one striker.