Uruguay coach returns to the World Cup

After a 20-year absence, Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez is back at the World Cup.

Tabarez coached Uruguay at the World Cup in Italy, and he would be happy to have the same success when his team plays in Group A with South Africa, France and Mexico at this year's tournament. In 1990, Uruguay reached the second round, losing to host Italy 2-0.

"We always suffer," said Tabarez, referring to Uruguay's constant struggle to the reach the World Cup.

Of course, Uruguay has a glorious World Cup history, winning the first tournament in 1930 and then again in 1950 in Brazil. The team also finished fourth at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.

In more modern times, Uruguay has had it problems.

Since 1970, Uruguay has won only one World Cup game in 13 matches, beating South Korea 1-0 in 1990 with Tabarez as coach.

Tabarez's most important coaching success came with Penarol in 1987, winning the Copa Libertadores - South America's most important club title.

"There is no such thing as an impossible rival," said Tabarez, who took over in 2006 and is widely known as "the professor."

Uruguay is famous for its tough style of play - playing with "garra," or grit. Tabarez's biggest problem has been getting consistency out of his team, which has its share of young players and is anchored by striker Diego Forlan.

Tabarez will have to make a tough decision when it comes to midfielder Christian Rodriguez, who was given a four-match suspension for an altercation with an Argentine player following a loss in October. Rodriguez missed the two playoff games with Costa Rica and will have to miss the first two of the World Cup.

"It is difficult to take player to the World Cup who has a two-game suspension," Tabarez said.