Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez said Tuesday that Uruguay will be ready to “fight” against any opponent when the Fifa World Cup begins in Qatar next week.
Uruguay will start their campaign against South Korea on November 24 before also meeting Portugal and Ghana in Group H.
“We are here knowing that we are not favorites but we will fight any opponent,” Nunez said during a pause in Uruguay’s pre-World Cup training camp in the United Arab Emirates capital Abu Dhabi.
“The opening game, against South Korea, is very important. We’re going to face a strong team that made it to the World Cup for a reason.”
Uruguay earned a place in Qatar by finishing third in the 10-team South American group qualifiers, behind Brazil and Argentina.
Despite a population of just over 3.5 million people, Uruguay have often punched above their weight in football’s showpiece tournament.
They were champions in 1930 and 1950, and have progressed to the last 16 or beyond in each of the past three editions.
The Celeste have high hopes of another impressive showing this time, though Nunez said his teammates would not be looking too far ahead.
“We want to go far in the competition,” said Nunez, who has scored nine goals in 18 appearances across all competitions since joining Liverpool from Benfica in July.
“Our objective is to win the World Cup but the first thought is only on the game against South Korea,” he said. ■
