MONTEVIDEO, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- New Uruguay head coach Diego Alonso insists the Celeste remain well placed to secure a place at this year's FIFA World Cup, despite four defeats in their past four qualifiers.
Alonso faced Uruguay's media on Tuesday for the first time since he replaced Oscar Tabarez in the role on December 14.
"I truly believe that by doing things right, Uruguay will be in the World Cup," the 46-year-old said. "The players have my complete trust. What they have done and what they can do is infinite."
A former striker for Atletico Madrid, Valencia and Uruguay's national team, Alonso has more than a decade of experience as a manager of top-flight clubs in Uruguay, Paraguay, Mexico and the United States.
His first competitive match in charge of Uruguay will be a World Cup qualifier against Paraguay in Asuncion on January 27 followed by a home clash with Venezuela five days later.
The Celeste are currently seventh in the 10-team South American zone qualifying tournament. The top four teams will earn an automatic place in football's showpiece event -- to be played in November and December -- while the fifth-ranked side will advance to an intercontinental playoff.
Alonso provided an early clue as to how his team would play by promising to be both defense and attack-minded.
"I like to dominate games defensively, with pressure, and also in possession by always trying to create," he said.
Alonso revealed that he has spoken with Tabarez in recent days, hailing the 74-year-old's willingness to share his knowledge after a 15-year spell as Uruguay's boss.
"I have had contact with him but I would prefer to keep what we said private," Alonso added. Enditem
