Uruguay's national football team bid farewell to their fans at the Centenario Atadium here with a 3-0 win over Uzbekistan, which included goals from Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Luis Suarez and Jose Maria Gimenez.
The team, coached by Oscar Washington Tabarez, will leave on June 9 for the FIFA 2018 World Cup in Russia, where they will play in Group A with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the host country, reports Efe news agency.
Although Uruguay began Thursday's match by pushing and many offensive plays, with at least three arrivals in front of the Uzbek goal during the first 15 minutes, Uzbekistan recovered quickly and surprised with a good command of the ball.
However, after 31 minutes, Brazilian Cruzeiro midfielder Giorgian De Arrascaeta opened the scoring to put an end to the impatience of the fans, who were eager to shout a goal from their team 'La Celeste'.
The move began with a steal by Barcelona forward Luis Suarez in midfield, sending a long pass to Edinson Cavani.
El Matador' eluded the goalkeeper, left him behind and returned the ball to the area, where Suarez and De Arrascaeta were waiting.
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Suarez, who received the ball uncomfortably, gave De Arrascaeta, who was in a better position, the chance to hit the goal with a powerful shot.
The goal was a breath of fresh air for Uruguay, who had hitherto been vague on the ball.
In the 52nd minute, Brazilian referee Raphael Claus, awarded a penalty to Uruguay for a hand ball by Uzbek defender Rustam Ashurmatov.
Suarez was in charge of executing it and with a powerful shot scored the 2-0, into the net of goalkeeper Eldor Suyunov.
La Celeste's third goal came in the 72nd minute after a corner from Carlos Sanchez, a midfielder for Monterrey Mexicano, who centered the ball for Atletico Madrid's defender Jose Maria Gimenez to score the 3-0 with a header.
Uzbekistan were left with 10 players after Akromion Komilov's 79th-minute dismissal for a tough tackle on Carlos Sanchez.
--IANS
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