Just Four Things: Uruguay Vs. Saudi Arabia

Luis Suarez Marks 100th Cap The Only Way He Knows How

It just had to happen. On a day where he celebrates his 100th international appearance for Uruguay, Luis Suarez caps the occasion by scoring a goal to break the deadlock. Granted, the circumstances surrounding the goal was dubious from Saudi Arabia’s end.

Carlos Sanchez (Yes. There’s another player going by that name) whipped in a corner. Not only the Saudi keeper Mohammed Al-Owais missed the ball completely, but no one got close enough to deter Suarez and he duly scored with a one-touch shot. Suarez as usual was his feisty self, but other than that goal, didn’t influence the game enough as did his strike partner Edinson Cavani. Still, it’s a goal for him and a ticket for Uruguay to the knockout stages. Job done.

Saudi Arabia Fared Better

Saudi Arabia didn’t implode like they did against Russia and did well going forward. They had a promising start and did well in their attempts to carve open the Uruguay defence. While they keep firm of the ball possession, the problem was that once they reach the final third, they looked clueless on what to do next.

No one was there to support the ball holder as they were about to penetrate the Uruguay box and even if they do, they lose possession easily by either holding possession too long, misplaced passes or just not clinical enough. Hatan Bahbir spurned Saudi’s best chance when he sneaked past Martin Carceres to get the end of a cross, but failed to keep his shot down. Even if they did better than that shambolic 5-0 defeat, Saudi Arabia once again were the makers of their own downfall.

Osama Hawsawi A Rock

On the other hand, the Saudi defence looked much better defending and it’s partly thanks to the influence of their captain Osama Hawsawi. Hawsawi remained solid throughout the 90 minutes, maintaining a physical level going back to protect the box.

He exuded hardwork tidying the back line, keep the pressure off when an attack is coming and keeping tabs on either Cavani or Suarez so they won’t easily get the service they need, shaking them off to win possession. Although there was a time or two he was caught out. Where was this commanding captain when Russia ran riot at the Luzhniki?

Uruguay Need To Up Their Game

With Saudi Arabia keeping the pressure and pegging them back, Uruguay looked like they were at siege. They may be patient approaching the match, but with how Saudi Arabia kept going at them, they can’t afford to be too patient. Even with Carlos Sanchez and Cristian Rodriguez starting, who changed the tempo against Egypt, Uruguay didn’t trouble Saudi Arabia enough.

Let’s also not get started when they were about to break after stopping Saudi Arabia’s attacks. No one was up on the pitch and that forced goalkeeper Fernando Muslera to wait for his teammates to get in position going forward. They need to raise their game not just against a newly-energized Russia, but for the knockout stages too. Another labored performance for Uruguay.

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