Uruguay's Cavani hails respect earned by team

Montevideo (Uruguay), Nov 19 (IANS) Forward Edinson Cavani celebrated the international respect earned by Uruguay’s national football team which is close to qualifying for the 2014 Brazil World Cup.

The team has gathered here prior to their decisive match against Jordan Wednesday, reports Xinhua.

“For Brazil or any other national team in the world to play Uruguay is a commitment and a very tough match,” said Cavani Monday, harking back to the 1950 World Championship Uruguay won in Brazil.

Uruguay beat Jordan 5-0 in Amman in the first of two playoff games to decide which team qualifies for the World Cup and in the lead-up to the second game, Cavani said, “There are national teams that are not happy with Uruguay’s possible qualification. This is the respect earned by our team over time and with the maturation of the group.”

Asked about the upcoming match, Cavani said: “The team is mentally more prepared to achieve our goal than we were several days ago. We will try to live up to the challenge, as the team has proven in recent games, to give people a good show.”

The Paris Saint Germain forward added that the team’s goal is to “always go out and win without thinking about the rival we face. If we can make five of six goals, that’s what we have to do.”

The 55,000-seat Centenario Stadium, where the match will be played, sold out just hours after tickets went on sale Nov 7.