RECIFE, Brazil -- Moments after Tahiti succumbed to its third rout in three matches, the fans in Brazil really started to cheer for the team that never stood a chance. The South Pacific islanders enjoyed overwhelming support throughout the Confederations Cup, but the adulation reached a climax Sunday following Tahitis 8-0 loss to Group B rival Uruguay. Thats when the substitutes walked onto the field at the Arena Pernambuco carrying Brazilian flags and unfurling a large green and white banner with "Obrigado Brasil" printed on it. In English, that means "Thank You Brazil." "Weve been really pleasantly surprised by the love shown to us by the Brazilian public. Theyve supported us to the end," Tahiti forward Steevy Chong Hue said. "And wed like to thank them from the bottom of our hearts." Tahiti, a team of mostly amateur players who won the Oceania Nations Cup to qualify for the World Cup warm-up tournament, has been the adopted team of the Brazilian public. The purveyors of the "Beautiful Game" have been won over by Tahitis attack-minded pluckiness against insurmountable odds in matches against Nigeria, Spain and Uruguay. In those three matches, Tahiti was outscored 24-1. "Weve been routed three times. Weve been defeated," Chong Hue said. "But what was important for us was to represent our country and our values." For Uruguay, the point of Sundays match was to win and reach the semifinals. They did that, getting four goals from Abel Hernandez and two from second-half substitute Luis Suarez. The World Cup semifinalists, who left strikers Diego Forlan and Edinson Cavani on the bench, will play Brazil in the semifinals on Wednesday in Belo Horizonte. "Fortunately for us, what had to happen, happened," Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said. Hernandez scored a first-half hat trick and added a penalty in the second half. Diego Perez and Nicolas Lodeiro also scored for the South American champions. Hernandezs first goal, a header which came 1 minute, 19 seconds into the match, is the fastest to be scored in the history of the World Cup warm-up tournament, according to FIFA. But Tahiti goalkeeper Gilbert Meriel stopped the final score from getting worse by saving a penalty from Andres Scotti in the 50th minute. One minute later, Scotti was sent off with a second yellow card. Tahiti even managed to create a few chances, perhaps the best when Marama Vahirua, the teams only professional football player, shot at Uruguay goalkeeper Martin Silva in the 34th for an easy save. "My players really played with their souls, with all their hearts. This is what was important for us," Tahiti coach Eddie Etaeta said. "At the end of the game today, they made a point of thanking the Brazilian public ... This is what we will take back with us from Brazil." Earlier in the half, Tahiti defender Teheivarii Ludivion was given a yellow card in the eighth minute for bringing down Matias Aguirregaray, the first caution the team had received at the tournament. He was then sent off for a second yellow in the 59th. Chong Hue and Tahiti captain Nicolas Vallar also received yellow cards. "During the game you get carried away," Chong Hue said. "We shouldnt regret anything." Meriel, who dived to his left to stop Scottis penalty and then scrambled to control the loose ball, was the third different goalkeeper to start for Tahiti in the teams three matches at the competition. Xavier Samin played in the 6-1 loss to Nigeria in the opening match last Monday, and Mikael Roche was in goal for the 10-0 drubbing against Spain on Thursday. Those three losses, however, wont be as memorable for the Tahitians as just being in Brazil to take part in a major tournament against some of the worlds best players. 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A wet and wild days racing on Sunday has no Supercars driver keen to predict the outcome of the Sandown 500.Jamie Whincups car No.88 will start on pole after the six-time series champion had combined with co-driver Paul Dumbrell to beat home the field in qualifying.The duos third-straight pole position at the Melbourne circuit might have been a predictable result but Whincup said the forecast big wet meant Sunday wouldnt be straightforward.Its going to be all over the place, he said.Its going to be a matter of having the right tyres on at the right time, having the right set-up for the conditions.Everyones going to take a guess on what part of the race its going to be. Whoever takes the best guess will be in the best spot.The weather bureau is predicting up to 10mm of rain in Melbourne on race day, with most to fall before the start time of 1:15pm.That has Dumbrell and Garth Tander, who will join the Red Bull driver on the front row, at odds over the best place to be.With Tanders Holden Racing Team car No.2 to start on the outside of the track, he saidd it could allow him or co-driver Warren Luff to scoot into the lead by turn one.dddddddddddd.Id rather start on the outside of the front row. If its changeable weather, the outside line will be dry from previous races running across. The inside will probably be wet, he said.Dumbrell suggested an advantage might not materialise.The tracks quite abrasive ... it might be a little bit dirty on the inside but, with wet weather coming, its probably going to neutralise the whole track, he said.Rule changes add to the intrigue.Now that theyve taken out the four-stop minimum mandatory component of the strategy, I think youll see some variation of the teams over three or four stops, he said.Throw the weather in as well and itll be a very interesting day tomorrow.Scott McLaughlin, whose Volvo will start from third place, says there is just one factor that has him well poised for the endurance race.Im a Kiwi - I love the wet, he said. ' ' '