Uruguay Earns Advantage Over Jordan With Victory In First Leg Of World Cup Playoff [HIGHLIGHTS]

With the 2014 World Cup in Brazil quickly approaching, multiple teams around the globe continue to make final preparations heading into the summer tournament. While numerous international clubs including Japan, Brazil, the United States and Costa Rica have already qualified for the event, other clubs were not as fortunate once their respective group stages closed. Mexico and New Zealand are two clubs that did not earn automatic qualification into the 32-team event and as they prepare to enter what should be an entertaining two-leg playoff, a handful of other teams also find themselves in playoff mode.

Two of those clubs are Uruguay and Jordan. The Uruguayan nationals did not earn an AQ to the Brazil tournament and even though they entered their playoff series as favorites over Asian Football Confederation affiliate Jordan, star scorer Luis Suarez knew his squad could not take the Jordanians lightly if they wanted to get back to the World Cup after finishing fourth at the 2010 South Africa Games. "Jordan will be very motivated to play us, just as teams are when they meet us in the World Cup and the Copa America," Suarez said prior to the first leg. "We have to be careful. We know Jordan have fast outfield players and if you leave space, they could show their quality."

While Suarez was completely correct when saying Jordan should be respected, his Uruguay club did not face much opposition during the first leg of the playoff. Opening the series Wednesday morning at Amman Stadium in Jordan, Suarez and Los Charrúas displayed the form that many expected them to possess earlier in the qualifying stages. Jumping out to an early lead with just over 20 minutes passed in the opening half, Uruguay never looked back as they earned a substantial advantage heading into the November 20 playoff finale at Centenario Stadium.

Maxi Pereira started the scoring at the 22' mark, giving the Uruguayans a crucial momentum boost on the road in front of a passionate Jordan fan base. 20 minutes later, Christian Stuani popped the second Uruguay goal past Jordanian keeper Mohammed Shatnawi, giving his squad a comfortable lead heading into the halftime break. The second half proved to be more of the same for Uruguay. With a goal of earning a quick and early advantage over a talented Jordan team heading into the match, Los Charrúas provided themselves with loads of confidence with 45 minutes remaining in the opening leg.

Goals from Nicolas Lodeiro (69'), Cristian Rodriguez (78') and Edinson Cavani (90' +2) added to the crisp play as Uruguay earned a major advantage in the WCQ Playoff. Set to return home in seven days for the final leg, Luis Suarez, Maxi Pereira and company will certainly feel good about their chances of heading back to the World Cup but as Suarez said prior to the opening leg, they still will not take Jordan lightly since anything can happen during World Cup competition.

WATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM URUGUAY'S FIRST LEG VICTORY OVER JORDAN