Brazil face Uruguay tonight

DHAKA, June 26: South American rivals Brazil and Uruguay are set to face each other in the FIFA Confederations Cup semi finals to night. The match will be held at Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte at 1 am Bangladesh time.

Maasranga Television and Star Sports will telecast the match live.

Brazil head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has a fully-fit squad to choose from after Paulinho, David Luiz and Bernard all overcame recent injuries.

Paulinho was the only absentee from the victory over Italy but is now available following an ankle strain.

Uruguay look set to recall a host of first-team regulars, including Luis Suarez and key defender Diego Godin.

Andres Scotti is suspended following his sending off against Tahiti but Diego Lugano returns after a ban.

Brazil`s new breed may have sailed through Group A with maximum points but an all-South American semi-final against old foes Uruguay will surely test their mettle.

The two neighbours have had many memorable encounters over the last 97 years, most notably Uruguay`s 2-1 defeat of hosts Brazil to win the 1950 World Cup - a game immortalised as the `Maracanazo`, or Maracana Blow.

Uruguay are also responsible for inflicting Brazil`s heaviest defeat, 6-0 in 1920.

Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar said: "Brazil v Uruguay is huge... some say it`s even bigger than Brazil v Argentina."

The hosts will start as favourites but the knockout stage will bring an added pressure for Luiz Felipe Scolari and his young side to keep delivering.
The irrepressible Neymar scored and was named man of the match in all three of Brazil`s group fixtures, and Uruguay captain Diego Lugano has attempted to reduce his influence by accusing him of diving.

"Neymar can feign a foul, so we must be watchful nobody is fooled," said Lugano, in a clear warning to Chilean referee Enrique Osses.

Oscar Tabarez`s Uruguay side are struggling to qualify for next year`s World Cup, but they have again reached the latter stages of a major competition, having come fourth at the last World Cup and won the Copa America two years ago.

Tabarez said: "It`s a privilege to be taking on the nation that`s won more World Cups than anyone. I hope we will see a fiesta of South American football."

It`s a fixture based on pride, one enriched with almost a century of football history, and a key indicator as to whether Brazil`s young charges are ready for the demands of knockout football and if Uruguay`s old-stagers still have what it takes to surprise.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head 

•    The two countries have met in 70 internationals spanning 97 years. Brazil have won 32 matches and Uruguay 19. There have been a further 19 draws - that includes two games won on penalties by Brazil, and one won by Uruguay in similar fashion.

•    Brazil beat Uruguay 3-0 at the Estadio Mineirao in September 1965. It was the first international played at the venue.

•    Brazil are unbeaten in six matches against Uruguay since a 1-0 defeat in Montevideo in July 2001. This includes Copa America semi-final wins in 2004 and 2007, both on penalties.

Brazil 

•    Brazil have won their last 10 Confederations Cup matches - a tournament record.

•    Only Tahiti (14) attempted fewer shots in the group stages than Brazil (28).

•    Brazil committed a tournament-high 67 fouls during the group stage, 15 more than Uruguay, who were second in the list.

•    Neymar has scored in each of his opening three games - he will emulate Ronaldinho`s competition record of scoring in four straight matches (set in 1999) should he get a goal against Uruguay.

Uruguay 

•    La Celeste have won four of their last five matches, their only defeat coming against Spain.

•    Uruguay`s 8-0 win over Tahiti was the second highest in tournament history.

•    Luis Suarez`s three goals have come from his only three shots on target.

•    Abel Hernandez became only the second man in Confederations Cup history to score a hat-trick inside one half on Sunday, matching Fernando Torres`s feat.

MOST RECENT MEETING

Uruguay 0-4 Brazil (June 2009, World Cup qualifier)