Team Profile: Chile

CHILE - República de Chile
Coach: Marcelo Bielsa
Confederation: Conmebol
FIFA Ranking (Dec 09): 17
Previous Appearances: 7 (1930, 1950, 1962, 1966, 1974, 1982, 1998)

Background

Chile doesn’t have a great tradition in football like Brazil, Argentina or Uruguay. Chile fights for being in the second order in South America and through the years, have dealt with good and bad administrations of its FA, which never have let the national team cement a solid base to the future. Despite all this, Chile manages to qualify for World Cups.

How They Qualified

Chile qualified when they beat Colombia (4-2) in Medellin. Chile had never before won so many times as on the road as they did in this qualifying campaign. Chile always qualified in the past by being strong at home, but not away but that wasn't the case this time around.

Strengths

A very attacking team, with a high-powered offence. From the very first minute, Chile will go searching for goals. And when the team is winning, they keep up the pressure and do not fall into a defensive shell. Synchronised movements are the key to their success.

Weaknesses

The defence. Errors in the backline due to the pressure create at the opposite end. Another weakness is the defensive aerial game, due to their lack of height.

The Coach

Marcelo Bielsa is a personality in football. He is studious and ‘crazy’ (his alias is ‘El Loco’) for strategy and football. A faithful follower of the ‘Coerver’ method, implanted his identity in a group of players that blindly trust in him and mechanise their moves throughout the game. Their lineup either at home or away is always 3-3-1-3.

Star Men

Humberto Suazo (Monterrey) - He was the top scorer of the South American Qualifiers with 10 goals. He is owner of a very good shot and if you give him a even few centimetres, he will make you pay.

Alexis Sanchez (Udinese) - 'El Nino Maravilla' (The Wonderboy) will be 21 years old in the World Cup. He is fated to be one of the greatest figures of the Chilean team. He doesn’t have Suazo’s scoring ability but he is explosive as a right winger and at any minute can generate a chance or a penalty.

Matias Fernandez (Sporting CP) - He was the Best South American Player in 2006 and despite having a mediocre stint at Villarreal in Spain, his level has never dropped in the Chilean team. He is the key in the midfield and despite his dispute with Jorge Valdivia for being the playmaker of the team, he will probably be the starter in the first match of the World Cup.

Best Footballing Moment

Without any doubt, it occurred in 1962 when Chile finished in third place in the World Cup that took place on their home soil. After losing to Brazil in the semi-finals, Chile beat Yugoslavia 1-0 in the third place match.

Off The Pitch

Famous for: It’s a land of poets. Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda won the literature Nobel Prize. Its wines are also recognised all over the world.Most likely to: encourage their team in large crowds, like in the 1998 World Cup. ‘La Marea Roja’ won recognition for its passion and encouragement in that tournament, although many of them are still paying their debts for that adventure... In South Africa, something similar will happen.

World Cup Objective

For Chile and Bielsa, the first objective is to win a match away from home. The other mission is to replicate what the ’98 team did in France. In that World Cup, Chile reached the Round of 16. From there, everything is a gift.