ROSTOV-ON-DON, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera will make his 99th appearance for his country when they face Saudi Arabia in the World Cup on Wednesday, but speaking to the press on the eve of that game, he had another number on his mind...and it wasn't '100'.
When he starts against the Saudis in Rostov-on-Don, Muslera will equal the Uruguayan record of 13 games played in World Cup finals of legendary former Uruguay goalkeeper Ladislao Mazurkiewicz, who played for his country in the 1966, 1970 and 1974 tournaments.
"I am happy and proud, it is a huge reason to be proud, that my name is among the record books of Uruguayan football and it will be a big moment for my family," said Muslera speaking to the press o Tuesday.
Although Saudi Arabia lost their opening gam 5-0 to Russia, Muslera warned that would make Wednesday's rivals more dangerous.
"The Saudis are going to give everything; they are a good side despite their defeat in the first game and the result was harsh on them. They are going to give everything and we can't keep anything back against them, because If we win it will almost certainly see us into the next round," said the goalkeeper, who also had words of thanks for Uruguay's central defensive pairing of Jose Gimenez and Diego Godin, who play their club football with Atletico Madrid.
"They're players with great talent and it helps having them in front of me, because they have a lot of experience and it helps keep you calm that they are there," he said.
