|
Luis Suarez has played in some of the world's top leagues, but insists he's never experienced anything more difficult than the South American World Cup qualifiers. In their most recent World Cup qualifying campaign, Uruguay finished fifth in the region and needed to defeat Jordan in a two-legged playoff to secure their trip to Brazil in 2014. Speaking in an exclusive interview with ESPN FC, the Barcelona striker discussed the competition on the continent and what makes it so tough to navigate. "Yes, yes, yes. The Argentineans can tell you, so can the Brazilians and the Colombians, all of them can tell you. It's the most difficult thing there can be, qualifying to a World Cup from a South American qualifier," Suarez said. "It's really difficult, everyone plays everyone. There is no rival that goes out thinking they are better than the other and that they will secure the three points -- all of the games are difficult. When you play Bolivia you have to go to La Paz, Quito in Ecuador. "They are countries that are very difficult, but the South Americans have a lot of ambition, they want to win and that makes the qualifiers very even." With Suarez unable to participate because of an international suspension for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini during last year's World Cup, a disappointing Uruguay offered little going forward at this summer's Copa America before crashing out to hosts Chile. And the former Liverpool star laid the blame on squad turnover, and the loss of influential veterans in the national team. "Truthfully, it struck me that fact that we couldn't keep possession. We were never a team that held possession but we were a team that tried to play well, we had more depth, we would reach the opponent's goal, and play quicker with the forwards." the Uruguay No. 9 said. "But there is a big change in the team with a lot of new players coming up and many players that were great have retired such as [Sebastian] Loco Abreu, Diego [Forlan], [Diego] El Ruso Perez. They were fundamental players which we miss. "They were a big part of our motivation before getting onto the field and that motivated us all. We're always getting judged by fans, soccer players and the press. They will always say look at Uruguay they're playing good or they're playing bad. "Sometimes that harms you mentally. You can play a bad pass but I have a blind faith towards this group of players that we will have good qualifiers. We will show why we are Uruguay." Suarez is currently training with Barcelona as the Blaugrana aim to improve upon last season's treble-winning campaign. And while the Camp Nou has been a fortress over the years for the Catalan club, the Salto, Uruguay native is hoping La Celeste's home stadium, The Centenario, can perform a similar role for his national team. "Yes, the truth is that every time we play in the stadium we need to be stronger, we need to feel like we're the hosts, but we also need the people to be screaming and singing because we feel that as well when we play away. "If the fans are singing, screaming and dancing they will make us stronger and that will motivate us," Suarez said.
|
