Victor Pua - knows his players very well. (Allsport)

By Reece Killworth, Sportinglife.com

You would be hard pressed to find an international coach who knows his players better than Uruguay's Victor Pua.

Admittedly Sven-Goran Eriksson would run him close, particularly as his three-games-a-week routine takes him the length and breadth of Europe.

But many of the current Uruguayan squad have played under Pua for almost four years.

That was when the experienced coach was in charge of the Uruguayan side for the Copa America with virtually an Under-23 squad.

Since then he has taken charge of the Under-17s and Under-21s but has also watched over 'his' players as they have grown into experienced internationals.

And when Daniel Passarella resigned in February last year, Pua seemed the natural choice to replace him.

Given his experience at youth level, it is no surprise that Pua is happy to throw in youngsters where necessary.

He has built on the foundations Passarella laid and Uruguay are know a tough team to beat.

Pua has put his faith in a strong back-line and has hard-working midfielders in the centre of the park alongside the delightful Alvaro Recoba.

Now Pua will be hoping the players he has groomed for years will reward him in the Far East.