Uruguay must quell Brazil’s attacking threat: Coach Tabarez

Montevideo, March 21: Uruguay head coach Oscar Tabarez has said that they will seek to limit Brazil's "great attacking quality" when they meet in their 2018 football World Cup qualifier here on Thursday.

But the two-time World Cup winners will not let Brazil's vaunted forward line — which includes Neymar, Philippe Coutinho and Willian — distract them from their own game plan, Tabarez said on Monday, reports Xinhua news agency.

"Brazil's potential doesn't change the way we will play," The Uruguay coach told reporters. "They can do a lot of things during the match, but they can't do anything that will alter our resolve to overcome our difficulties. That is very important for us."

When asked how he planned to stop in-form Barcelona forward Neymar, Tabarez replied: "Even if I had the answer, I wouldn't tell you."

"We have to study what he does, his habits. All footballers have them," he added.

Uruguay will be without Neymar's club teammate Luis Suarez and Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, who are suspended for the clash at the Centenario stadium.

Brazil currently lead the South American zone qualifying standings for next year's World Cup in Russia, four points ahead of second-placed Uruguay.