Dhaka, Nov. 22 -- Uruguay Manager Marcelo Bielsa said he felt ashamed in the wake of his side's 5-1 thrashing by the U.S. in a friendly earlier this week but he sought to restore a sense of calm on Thursday after the result jangled nerves ahead of next year's World Cup.

Bielsa said he had spoken with Uruguay's Sporting Director Jorge Giordano and Federation President Ignacio Alonso at length about the defeat, which came against a weakened U.S. side in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday.

"My inclination to hold a press conference after losing 5-1 to the United States stemmed from the need to explain, especially after a defeat like that, which always generates concern," the Argentine told reporters.

"Losing 5-1 is certainly not something that can...