Following the conclusion of Group C's match up between Venezuela and Uruguay both head coaches spoke briefly, here are the comments of Uruguay manager Oscar Tabarez, who spoke first as the losing manager. He was somber and soft spoken and below are his roughly translated comments. The original Spanish and English translated audio is also present.
Tabarez speaks with Uruguay all but eliminated
Translator: Good evening and welcome to the press conference, we'll begin first with comments from Oscar Tabarez, coach of Uruguay.
Oscar Tabarez: We surprisingly never found the game that we wanted. It was a game we had to win at all costs, we didn't create many chances, our opponent neither but in the second half, they did. They made a very very good play that turned out in the goal of Rondon. I believe the win of Venezuela was just [trails off].
Journalist: Why do you think Uruguay was lacking to get a better result gameplay?
OT: We didn't play like a team that wants to help the result nor tie with them or create opportunities to score. I would say that I'm surprised because I do know these players very well and I still have a huge trust, but today no. Overall it was not a very good game.
Journalist: Before this tournament you mentioned the World Cup elimination [as the priority] because Uruguay still has an opportunity to qualify but what would but what would generate that the team is out of this tournament so quickly?
OT: Well this is my fifth Copa America and I've never had this happen. I always at the very least got us to the next phase, and in several of them, we got to the final and one we won the championship. It's not that we thought we'd have it all done, we knew it'd be very difficult but honestly the Uruguay we saw today compared to the on we saw not long ago is a big difference. We'll have to see and evaluate what happened. But on the other hand, it's good that we had this moment before we start playing for the World Cup.
Journalist: You were clear yesterday, we knew that it was coming and you said that Luis Suarez wasn't available but he looked upset and was reacting to not playing, what's with that situation?
OT: There is no situation, the situation is what I told you yesterday, the player is not ready to play, there are no guarantees and this is an issue about that. So even if the player is upset, I'm not going to put a player to play who's not at 100% and if he gets upset, you know that's something I was really not aware of. I was with him recently, he didn't tell me anything.
Journalist: Considering the Venezuela versus Uruguay rivalry would you consider this the new classic rivalry in South America?
OT: I don't know, I like to say no. Classic is another thing. There are games that you know you play for it but over dozens of years, this is not the case. You know the games we have played against Venezuela we have seen a point that complicates things.
Journalist: I wanted to clarify. Luis Suarez knew? He was wrapping up his ankles as if he was going to play.
OT: I just answered that question just now, Luis Suarez is training with us. Today he had a day off so not to force more onto him, he always knows that the coach has the final say on this. But he knows the first one you talk to on this is the doctor, for me that is the most important. Eighteen days ago he had a tear, you tell me a player that is injured eighteen days and is able to play at a high level after a tear. We want Suarez when he's well and the process we're having continues, it's still going. Understanding the doctors, it's not enough.