 |
|
Uruguay coach Fossati discharged, vows to stop smoking [Sat Aug 27th, 2005]
Montevideo (Reuters) - Uruguay coach Jorge Fossati has promised to stop smoking after being discharged from hospital where he had been kept for two nights after suffering chest pains.
Fossati, who chain-smokes during matches, added that his battle against cigarettes would be more difficult than beating Colombia in next month's World Cup qualifier.
"I will carry on with a normal life with the recommendation that one day I have to stop smoking, which was something I already knew," Fossati told reporters.
Asked whether giving up smoking or beating Colombia would be more difficult, the 52-year-old former goalkeeper replied: "Stopping smoking."
He added: "Beating Colombia is difficult, but we've got some fantastic players who will answer the call.
"Not only are we going to beat Colombia, but we are going to qualify (for the World Cup)."
Uruguay face Colombia in Montevideo on September 4 in a match which is crucial to both team's chances of making the trip to Germany next year.
The two-time world champions are seventh in the 10-nation World Cup qualifying group with 18 points from 15 games, two behind Colombia who are fifth.
The top four teams qualify directly for Germany and the fifth plays off against the Oceania region winners for another place.
Fossati took over Uruguay last year with the team in disarray and has managed to restore their credibility.
News headlines from around the world.