Uruguay set up Dutch date but at a cost (Feature)

By George Burns Jul 3, 2010, 11:25 GMT

Johannesburg - Uruguay may have booked their first place in a World Cup semi-final for the first time in 40 years with the dramatic penalty shootout win over Ghana at Soccer City Friday, but the victory comes at a price.

The South American side can now look forward to battling with the Netherlands on Tuesday in Cape Town for a place in the final but will have to overcome suspensions, injuries and a hostile crowd if they are to continue their unexpected quest for a third world title.

Oscar Tabarez's team are now the undisputed public enemy number one for footballing neutrals after Luis Suarez's deliberate handball denied the Black Stars the chance of making history by becoming the first African country to make it to the last four at a World Cup.

With the match tied at 1-1 in the last minute of extra-time, Suarez received a straight red for preventing Dominic Adiyiah's header from crossing the line but Asamoah Gyan blasted the subsequent spot-kick against the bar and Ghana went on to lose the penalty shootout 4-2.

Tabarez stated afterwards that he hopes Uruguayans celebrate his side's win over Ghana for 'three or four days' but Suarez's jubilant reaction to Gyan's miss and the complete lack of remorse shown for his actions has left behind a sour taste for many.

'It was worth it to be sent off in this way,' said the Ajax striker, who compared his actions to the infamous handball goal by Diego Maradona against England in 1986.

'We suffered to the end but the Hand of God, it's mine now.'

The anger towards Uruguay was palpable during the shootout when a chorus of boos greeted each penalty taker and the sight of Ghana's inconsolable players trudging off the pitch afterwards is likely to harden attitudes further ahead of the game at Green Point.

Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac refused to condemn Suarez, saying 'that's football', while Tabarez pointed out that the 23-year-old will now miss the game against the Dutch through suspension.

'He didn't know that Ghana were going to miss the penalty,' he added.

Suarez won't be the only absentee against the Netherlands as Jorge Fucile is also suspended after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament while there is a doubt over the fitness of captain Diego Lugano.

The Fenerbahce defender picked up a knock when challenging for a ball in the Ghana area with John Mensah and Isaac Vorsah, and though he played on the 29-year-old eventually had to be substituted seven minutes before half-time.

'Let's see, but I hope to recover in time,' said Lugano. 'The good thing is that I only played for 15 minutes with pain.'