URUGUAY: DRIVEN to TEARS:

In Rio on the 16th July 1950, the greatest shock in world cup history occurred when Uruguay christened the newly built Maracana stadium in tears to beat the host nation and become world champions for a second time. It was a result that sent a nation hurtling into depression, even causing suicides across Brazil.
As for the triumphant Uruguayans, their incredible achievement was slightly tainted, because such was the opponent's heart wrenching reaction at the final whistle, many of their players spent more time consoling than actually celebrating.
It was a victory inspired by a monumental performance by captain Obdulio Varela, whom himself overcome by the feelings of sheer grief that fell upon Rio, spent the evening drinking with his arms around crestfallen Brazilians. Sixty years on and the Uruguayans stand again on the verge of a football miracle.
On Tuesday night in Cape Town, Oscar Tabarez's modern day, never-say die Uruguay take on Holland for a place in the nineteenth World cup final. After their highly emotional, rollercoaster quarter-final epic against Ghana, when in typical Uruguayan manner they left millions weeping tears of despair, the South Americans must now face the proficient, if hardly brilliant Dutch without exciting young
striker/ turned goalkeeper, Luis Suarez.
The pressure of scoring goals now falls upon the broad shoulders of Diego Forlan, whom for many commentators has been the star of Africa 2010. Forlan has proved a revelation, now 31-years old he has seized his moment and reminiscent of Obdulio Varela has proved inspirational for Uruguay.
With Asamoah Gyan's last gasp penalty miss against Ghana the Uruguayans appeared to have used up more than a slice of good fortune, but sometimes such moments mean teams are fated. Maybe it is time once more for this little nation of just four million people to rule the footballing world? The odds say no but history has shown it is dangerous to bet against a team who specialise in breaking hearts. Just ask Brazil.

Cfieldsoffire@aol.com