Uruguay's national team is now in Costa Rica, and they've had their one (and only) training session on the artificial surface at Saprissa. (I had thought that FIFA regulations required at least two training sessions on artificial turf, but I could be wrong.) Óscar Washington Tabárez, Uruguay's coach, almost certainly has his starting XI ready, with the only doubt being Walter Gargano. René Simões isn't revealing, or at least his surrogates aren't (he is suspended for this match because of his expulsion in DC last month). But I would his imagine that his decision on the centerback and overall defensive strategy won't be made until just before kickoff.
The conventional wisdom was that the artificial turf would give Costa Rica an advantage in the playoff. I initially agreed, but now I'm beginning to doubt that. The playing surface at Saprissa is a mess, the product of overuse from sporting, spiritual, and cultural activities. The Uruguayan players aren't used to it, but neither are the Costa Rican players, although the local players have had more time to get accustomed to the high bounce and quick roll-off. The new National Stadium can't be completed soon enough, and with a 2010 completion date, this could be the last World Cup qualifier at Saprissa.
In tomorrow's match, the decisive battles will be between the strikers of both sides and the opposing central defenders. Both Costa Rica and Uruguay have strikers of top quality, but Uruguay have more of them and better defenders to boot. I expect Uruguay to put the top of their penalty area under lock and key and try to spring counterattacks from deep. Costa Rica's losses in midfield and defense could be too much for them.
I think the playing conditions will be a wash for both sides, which is bad news for Costa Rica. Anything less than a 2-0 result will put them in a bad spot for the return leg in Montevideo.
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