Not Wanting South Korean Rehehkan, Uruguay Midfielder Torreira: We Always Face Every Match With The SAME Mentality

Lucas Torreira (Twitter @uruguay)

JAKARTA - Although his team is more favored, Uruguay midfielder Lucas Torreira admits he will not underestimate the strength of the South Korean squad in this week's 2022 World Cup group H match.

"We always face every game of the same mentality, no matter whether it's against South Korea or Portugal," Torreira said after training at Al Erssal Training Site in Doha, referring to two of Uruguay's three opponents in the group stage. In the group H Uruguay will also fight Ghana.

Uruguay-South Korea match will take place at the Education City Stadium at Al Rayyan, west of Doha, Thursday tomorrow.

📸 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐥 𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐧̃𝐨Foto oficial de #LaCeleste para el Mundial de Catar 2022.#ElEquipoQueNosUne pic.twitter.com/bzSQEiyyR8

— Selección Uruguaya (@Uruguay) November 22, 2022

"Every time we wear Uruguay jerseys, the most important thing for us is respect for our rivals, and obviously trying to win the game. We know the first game can determine the good or bad direction of the World Cup. We are clear in terms of what we want to do, and I think we will be ready for Thursday." he said as quoted by Antara via Yonhap news agency.

Torreira said he and his teammates talked about the need to respect each opponent, given Saudi Arabia's stunning 2-1 victory over Argentina, Tuesday. Saudi Arabia became the first Asian team to score many goals against Argentina in a World Cup game.

Uruguay is ranked 14th in the world, 14th ranked above South Korea. Torreira called the Taegeuk Knights a "very aggressive competition".

"We have analyzed their kindness and weaknesses," he said. "We will try to control all the fields and control the space. We know where we can punish them.

🗣️ 𝐇𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐧 𝐥𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐚Lucas Torreira atenderá a los medios en conferencia después del entrenamiento de hoy.📍Al Ersal 1#ElEquipoQueNosUne pic.twitter.com/iNvZcYNfXS

— Selección Uruguaya (@Uruguay) November 22, 2022

"Everything can happen and what we've seen lately is a team that makes fewer mistakes is the winning team, and that's what we're preparing."