Uruguay-Netherlands 2-3
Taberez: "We never gave up"

Wednesday 7 July 2010

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez says the Netherlands' second goal should have been ruled offside and changed the game. The South Americans, who had only conceded two goals during South Africa 2010, were beaten 3-2 by the Oranje in Cape Town on Tuesday to end their hopes of lifting their first trophy since 1950.

The win was partly inspired by a Wesley Sneijder strike which replays later suggested should have been ruledout for offside. "It was offside and it was a bad moment, but there is no point in weeping or making excuses. The match could have been different. They were then at ease and they have huge attacking potential. But we never gave up and if you have to choose a way of losing it would look like this," Tabarez said.

Tabarez also revealed that inspirational striker Diego Forlan played with an injury, and that is why he surprisingly substituted the captain and top scorer at 3-1 down. "It was nothing serious," said Tabarez. "But it was visible he was not 100 percent fit."

Tabarez praised the Netherlands players' talent for finding the back of the net, saying the Dutch were more dangerous in front of goal. "The Dutch can create a goal from any situation," said Tabarez. "These were beautiful goals for football but rather unexpected for us. If we had to choose a way to lose it would have been this way. This was another opportunity for us to show Uruguay's intentions, to play as equals over and above our limitations."

Tabarez would not comment on his own future.

"It doesn't depend on me," he said. "It's not up to me. I must wait for the next step. There must first be a proposal from the Uruguay football federation. I couldn't say no yet. If a proposal comes we will have to take a look. This is not the right moment to say anything. We were among the four semi-finalists and the other three are powerhouses of Europe. We know where football in Uruguay stands on a world level. I am proud of the team. You couldn't ask for more from these players."

Cards
21' M. Pereira
30' M. Caceres
	30' Sneijder
	78' K. Boulahrouz
	90'+2 M. van Bommel