Chile
Chile
Chile reached their eighth World Cup finals thanks to a 4-2 win over Colombia in their South American qualifying group. Substitute Jorge Valdivia was the hero for his country after he scored one goal and created the other three. Chile's qualification for South Africa meant it was their first finals appearance since 1998. Chile have seen great changes under coach Marcelo Bielsa who has been in charge of the national side since 2007. During Chile’s qualifying campaign, Bielsa engineered historic wins over Argentina, his home country, Paraguay and Peru to qualify behind leaders Brazil in their group.
Although Bielsa has attained hero status in Chile, he will be hard-pressed to match the South Americans’ third place finish in the 1962 World Cup this time around, with a tough draw alongside favorites Spain. Relying on youth and creativity since he took over, Bielsa has a side who may not be household names but cannot be underestimated. Leverkusen midfielder Arturo Vidal and Besiktas veteran Rodrigo Tello will be expected to control the midfield alongside the star of qualification Matias Fernandez. Up front, Humberto Suazo, Alexis Sanchez and Mark Gonzalez have scored plenty of goals for the Chilean side over the past couple of years, and the team’s spirits will be high following some impressive performances in qualification and friendlies. If they carry this form to South Africa, they might be one of the surprise packages of the tournament.
Key Player: Matias Fernandez
Chile youngster Matias Fernandez caught the eye at club side Colo Colo, when he was adjudged South American Player of the Year in 2006. Fernandez consequently secured a transfer to Villareal, where he continued to impress and quickly adapted to La Liga. He now plies his trade in Portugal, with Sporting CP, and his incisive passing and awareness in midfield makes him an essential part of the club side. At the international level, Fernandez repaid coach Bielsa’s faith in young players by producing some stellar performances during Chile’s qualification games, and he has an impressive international record, scoring 8 times in 39 appearances for his side. Along with attacker Alexis Sanchez, he will need to continue this run of form if the South American side are to progress in South Africa.
What they said
A solid unit under the clever coaching of Argentinian Bielsa, but even with the talents of Sanchez and Matias Fernandez it will be difficult for them to go beyond the last 16. While they pose a threat to Honduras and Switzerland and will be hoping to make it past the group stage, a draw that will see them face the mighty Brazil, Portugal or the Ivory Coast in the second round makes anything more seem like to much to ask .
What we think
Chronic World Cup underachievers in the past, Spain have never been better placed to become world champions having broken their habit of freezing at major finals in emphatic fashion by winning Euro 2008. There is quality all over the pitch and most pundits believe that the tournament is a toss-up between them and Brazil. However, as we all know, the World Cup rarely delivers what pundits expect, and considering that their second round draw could see them face Portugal, the Ivory Coast, or, in a worst case situation, even Brazil, they will have to play to their obvious potential to live up to the massive expectations back home.
