Uruguay get advantage with 1-0 win in Costa Rica

San Jose: Uruguay took a big step towards reaching the 2010 World Cup finals on Saturday with a 1-0 win away to Costa Rica in the first leg of their qualifying playoff.

A 22nd-minute goal from defender Diego Lugano secured the win for Uruguay, who finished fifth in South American qualifying and had to play-off with Costa Rica from the CONCACAF region.

Costa Rica’s task of turning the game around was made harder after Randall Azofeifa was sent off in the 53rd minute for a second yellow card.

The result gives two-times World Cup winners Uruguay a strong advantage going into Wednesday’s second leg in Montevideo.

Full story and link can be found at:

http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report_uruguay-get-advantage-with-1-0-win-in-costa-rica_1312068

Tags: defender, playoff, World Cup finals