clarinews@clarinet.com (JEFF SHAIN, UPI Sports Writer) (02/04/90)
MIAMI (UPI) -- Costa Rica and Uruguay, two teams whose hard-charging tactics create havoc for opponents, can boost their World Cup standing Sunday when they meet in the final of the Marlboro Cup of Miami. In the consolation game, the United States plays Colombia. Uruguay and Costa Rica won by 2-0 scores in Friday night's opening round, each using a high-pressure style that created turnovers in midfield and good scoring opportunities. Though the tournament is nothing more than a tune-up leading to June's World Cup, a championship would give Sunday's winner tangible evidence it should not be taken too lightly in Italy. Uruguay is the prohibitive favorite, having already beaten a tougher opponent in Colombia. A comfortable margin of victory could show the world Uruguay has better than an outside chance at reaching the quarterfinals in Italy. ``We don't like to speculate what might happen,'' Uruguay Coach Oscar Washington Tabarez said. ``We like to decide it on the field.'' However, a victory would show the Uruguayan team to be deeper than thought. Uruguay is playing without striker Ruben Sosa and midfielder Enzo Francescoli, both fulfilling commitments to European clubs. ``(Thursday) many people were taking pity on us for having to play reserves,'' Tabarez said. ``(Friday) we showed we are superior.'' The Uruguayans played their usual hard-tackling game against Colombia, a match that featured three yellow cards and one ejection. But the strategy paid off. Uruguay wore down the Colombians and created several good scoring opportunities in the second half. Uruguay took 11 shots after halftime to Colombia's one. ``We have to start somewhere,'' said Colombia goalkeeper Rene Higuita, whose mistake on a ball in the air helped Uruguay score its first goal in the 78th minute. ``This is a start. Now we have to go from here and find success in the World Cup.'' Costa Rica could greatly enhance its image with a victory. Despite winning the qualifying group of Central and North America and the Caribbean, oddsmakers list Costa Rica the third-longest shot in the World Cup field, ahead of only the United Arab Emirates and the United States. The Costa Ricans used superior speed to win many loose balls Friday night. They also exploited a disjointed U.S. defense and found themselves with a winger alone near the penalty area for an uncontested shot. ``We knew we were going to play well and dominate,'' said midfielder Hernan Medford, who set up the first Costa Rican goal and created several other chances. The United States started four players whose professional commitments kept them from attending training camp last month in San Diego. ``We've got to have people play together longer,'' U.S. Coach Bob Gansler said. ``It lacked cohesiveness. We've got to get more time together.''