Sport

Forlan not giving up on dream yet

URUGUAY are disappointed but not disheartened after their shock 3-1 defeat Costa Rica in their World Cup opener on Saturday.

La Celeste, the reigning Copa America champions who finished fourth at the last World Cup, could hardly have suffered a worse start to the tournament but are confident of hitting back against England when the sides meet on Thursday in Sao Paulo.

"We've been in situations like this before and there is no reason why we cannot overcome this," said veteran striker Diego Forlan (right).

"This is football and everything is possible. But this is not over, absolutely not.

"There are two more games left in the group and we will try to win both.

"We have to improve but we still have chances to progress."

Uruguay started without their all-time record goalscorer Luis Suarez but took a 1-0 lead after Edinson Cavani scored from the penalty spot in the first half.

However, underdogs Costa Rica struck back with a vengeance with goals from Joel Campbell, oscar Duarte and Marco Urena after the restart.

Suarez was an unused substitute against Costa Rica but it remains to be seen how fit the Liverpool striker is after undergoing a knee operation on May 22.

"He (Suarez) is no longer injured," Uruguay coach oscar Tabarez confirmed.

"He has gone through the stages we had programmed for his recovery and he has trained with the team.

"We have four days left before the game against England and if he proves that he is in good form, we will consider the possibility of him playing.

"For us Suarez is a crucial player and everyone in the world of football knows that."

Costa Rica, meanwhile, know they must come down from cloud nine after Saturday's win.

"no one gave a penny for us in this game," Costa Rica defender Cristian Gamboa said.

"We are delighted with the result but aware that we have the most difficult task ahead of us.

"What we really want as a team, is to progress from a group that is a very difficult one."

Costa Rica take on Italy on Friday in Recife and coach Jorge Pinto expects his players to remain humble.

"We need to be calm and have an emotional balance," he said.