He was bright enough to realise that qualification is not a
birthright, that a country of just three-and-a-half million people will
inevitably struggle against far bigger nations.
Pua perceived that Uruguay could only be successful as a result of a
process, and then worked hard to put that process into action.
He scoured the country looking for talented youngsters, and organised them
into the team that went to the World Youth Cup in Malaysia in 1997.
that route came defender Alejandro Lembo, superb midfield general Pablo
Garcia, flying forward Mario Regueiro and attacking midfielder Nico Olivera.
Two years later the World Youth Cup side included magnificent keeper
Fabian Carini, impressive centre-back Gonzalo Sorondo and dynamic striker
Many were also taken to the 1999 Copa America, as, from
boys to men, Pua groomed them for the World Cup challenge.
Now they have proved themselves up to the task, Uruguay will be looking to make the most of their involvement in the first World Cup of the new millennium.