YEKATERINBURG, Russia, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez defended Luis Suarez in front of the press after the Barcelona forward failed to capitalize on a few good opportunities in Friday's World Cup match against Egypt.
"I've seen Messi and Pele and Maradona and other great players not playing to their full potential in matches. This is not a sin," the 71-year-old coach told a press conference after Friday's 1-0 win in their Group A match when asked about Suarez's performance.
"Even playing not as well as he (Suarez) normally does, he had three goal scoring opportunities. The Egyptian goalkeeper saved a couple of them, and that is to his merit. This doesn't bother me at all. I'm not worried," he added.
"As long as Suarez keeps playing and trying to score, we know he has great potential, we are happy about that," said the coach.
Uruguay are to face Saudi Arabia on Wednesday and hosts Russia on June 25. The two-time World Cup winners finished fourth in the 2010 tournament and exited at the Round of 16 in Brazil in 2014.
With the remarkable combination of Luis Suarez and Edison Cavani in the front, Uruguay have been tipped by some as dark horses of the tournament this year and hopeful for top spot of group A.
