Uruguay's Ramirez confident of making World Cup lineup

Uruguay's attacking midfielder Gaston Ramirez said he is confident of being selected to play for the national team in the upcoming 2014 Brazil World Cup.

Ramirez, who is one of the 23 provisional players selected so far, said Thursday he was certain he would get the chance "to wear the national team jersey and fight for a place at the World Cup", reports Xinhua.

"If I wasn't confident. I wouldn't have come," said Ramirez.

"That's the mentality that everyone who has come to work with the team has to have."

Ramirez, who plays for Southampton, said the team had earned respect and admiration for their recent performances in international competitions.

"Uruguay has matured a lot in recent years, we are much more respected than before," Ramirez told reporters at a press conference following the team's second training session at a camp on the outskirts of the capital here.

Under the leadership of Oscar Tabarez, the team won the 2011 Americas Cup and reached fourth place at the 2010 South Africa World Cup.