World Cup Preview - Group H - Chile
Nickname: “La Roja (The Red One)”FIFA ranking: 18th
Coach: Argentine supremo Marcelo Bielsa
Game Schedule:
June 16 – Chile vs. Honduras (Nelspruit, 7:30 a.m. EST, ESPN)
June 21 – Chile vs. Switzerland (Port Elizabeth, 10 a.m., ESPN)
June 25 – Chile vs. Spain (Pretoria, 2:30 p.m., ESPN)
Prospects: The real surprise package of CONMEBOL qualifying this time around, finishing second in the table to Brazil, Chile has emerged as a dark horse in a weak group. Their success is largely based on a prolific attack, spearheaded by Real Zaragoza's Humberto Suazo, who will unfortunately miss much of the group stage through a late knock. Add to that a wily coach with plenty of World Cup tournament experience and Chile could turn some heads.
Key Player: Sporting Lisbon midfield general Matias Fernandez, named South America's player of the year in 2006.
Youngster to watch: I'd like to have a look at Udinese's 21 year old speedy right back/winger Mauricio Isla.
Who Will Get the Goals: Suazo's injury is a big blow, but the combination of winger Alexis Sanchez and striker Esteban Paredes should do the biz.
Who Will Get the Cards: West Brom clogger Gonzalo Jara.
Funniest Name: Center back Waldo Ponce.
Prediction: Just about good enough to edge out Honduras for second; then they run straight into a speeding truck called Brazil in the Round of 16.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 7:55 PM
2 Comments:
I disagree. Alex Frei is a huge loss, but the Swiss are solid at the back. An opening loss to Spain will not eliminate them from the tournament. I think they have just enough about them to edge out Chile and Honduras. Both teams will be frustrated by the strong Swiss defense. They will be eliminated by Brazil in the round of 16.
Fair shout there, MUR. It'll be fun to see who picks up the points, no doubt.
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