Football
Reuters 6y

Luis Suarez's missed Uruguay chances 'not a sin' - Oscar Tabarez

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez was at a loss to explain how Luis Suarez missed three golden chances in his team's 1-0 win over Egypt in their opening World Cup game but refused to blame the striker.

Suarez was saved embarrassment by a late header from centre-back Jose Gimenez, earning Uruguay a victory in a World Cup opener for the first time.

"I don't know what happened but I will not speculate," Tabarez said in a postgame news conference. "I have seen many great players like [Lionel] Messi and [Diego] Maradona not living up to their potential in matches. It is not a sin.

"Suarez, as you say, was not playing as well as he normally does, but he had three scoring opportunities. The goalkeeper saved a couple of them. That happens to strikers."


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Egypt coach Hector Cuper opted against risking forward Mohamed Salah as he continues his recovery from a shoulder injury, making Suarez the main attraction in his first World Cup game since biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini in a round-of-16 game in Brazil four years ago.

Suarez hit the side netting in the first half and twice failed to beat Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy from close range in the second.

His struggles in front of goal mirrored his dreadful start to last season with Barcelona after rushing back from a knee injury and Tabarez suggested Suarez was lacking confidence.

"In good times, everything goes into the back of the net, while at other times the goal seems smaller. As long as he gives his all, we are happy.

"I don't discuss individual players in press conferences. I don't point fingers. I don't discuss players who have given glory to Uruguayan football."

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