Chile are heading to South Africa for their eighth attempt at taking the World Cup crown – a title they are yet to lay claim to. The South Americans have not been a part of the tournament for 12 years, and are hoping to come back onto the world stage with a bang.
The South Americans have not been a part of the tournament for 12 years, and are hoping to come back onto the world stage with a bang.
In the 1998 World Cup, Chile made it to the first knock out stage where they came up against eventual runners up Brazil, so will hope to go at least one step further in South Africa. They have been in international wilderness since the tournament, and now are looking to make a comeback with the emergence of future football stars.
The qualification process saw a relatively smooth road for the Chilean side, finishing second in their group, just a single point behind pre tournament favourites Brazil. With the youngest average age of all South American sides, Chile overcame Colombia last October in a fantastic 4-2 win, which secured them as a side to fear in the World Cup along with their place in South Africa. In what may seem a surprising stat, Chile ended the process the second highest scorers in the group with 32 goals, and claimed more wins than any other South American nation with ten results going their way.
Chile have been drawn in Group H for the 2010 World Cup where they face tournament heavyweights Spain, Honduras and Switzerland. While Spain are favourites to take the top spot in the group – Chile will no doubt give them a run for their money, while the Swiss may also cause concerns. If they do make it through to the next round, they will either face Portugal or Brazil, although if all goes according to the stats it will be their continental compatriots – a devastating draw they will need to bring out their best form for.
Chile’s Group H Schedule
No. |
Date |
Match |
Location |
Kick-Off (Local) |
Kick-Off (AEST) |
| 15 | 16.06.10 | Honduras V Chile | Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit | 13.30 | 21.30 |
| 31 | 21.06.10 | Chile V Switzerland | Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth | 16.00 | 00.00 (22.06.10) |
| 47 | 25.06.10 | Chile V Spain | Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria | 20.30 | 04.30 (26.06.10) |
KEY PLAYERS:
CLAUDIO BRAVO (CAPTAIN)
Born: 13.04.1983 in Viluco, Chile
Height: 1.83 metres
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Real Sociedad, Segunda Division
International Debut: Vs Paraguay (11.07.2004)
Claudio Bravo has been leading Chile from the back for three years, and is widely regarded as a strong skipper for the South Americans. Plagued by injury early on in his career, Bravo has since made his way to the top of the sport, and has led his national side to their first World Cup campaign since 1998 – an impressive feat. Th big gun will hope to make a superb impact in South Africa.
HUMBERTO SUAZO
Born: 10.05.1981 in San Antonio, Chile
Height: 1.71 metres
Position: Forward
Club: C.F. Monterrey, La Primera Division
International Debut: 2005
Humberto Suazo has been one of the first names written on the Chilean team sheet for almost five years now, and with his fantastic skill in front of the goal is a threat to any sides’ defence. The 2006 World’s Top Scorer of the Year comes into the 2010 World Cup as the FIFA World Cup qualification top scorer, with ten to his name; one more than Brazil’s Luis Fabiano, so could well make this tournament his rise to superstardom.
ALEXIS SANCHEZ
Born: 19.12.1988 in Tocopilla, Chile
Height: 1.68 metres
Position: Forward
Club: Udinese Calcia, Serie A
International Debut: Vs New Zealand (27.04.2006)
Alexis Sanchez is one of the younger members of the Chile national side, and will be hoping South Africa will provide the stage for the 21 year-old to set the world alight. Many believe he is one of the most exciting young players to be rising in the world game at the moment, and is known as ‘The Wonder Boy’ by home crowds due to his innate natural ability with the ball.
CHILEAN SQUAD
Position |
Name |
| Coach | Marcelo BIELSA |
| Goalkeepers | Claudio BRAVO |
| Luis MARIN | |
| Miguel PINTO | |
| Defenders | Pablo CONTRERAS |
| Ismael FUENTES | |
| Mauricio ISLA | |
| Gonzalo JARA | |
| Gary MEDEL | |
| Waldo PONCE | |
| Midfielders | Carlos CARMONA |
| Marco ESTRADA | |
| Matias FERNANDEZ | |
| Gonzalo FIERRO | |
| Rodrigo MILLAR | |
| Rodrigo TELLO | |
| Jorge VALDIVIA | |
| Arturo VIDAL | |
| Forwards | Jean BEAUSEJOUR |
| Mark GONZALEZ | |
| Fabian ORELLANA | |
| Esteban PAREDES | |
| Alexis SANCHEZ | |
| Humberto SUAZO |
