Chile - Team Profile

Chile will have more reason than most to fear Brazil in the second round

Chile’s  Alexis Sanchez trains  in Santiago last month. Photograph: Carlos Parra/National Soccer/ Reuters
Chile’s Alexis Sanchez trains in Santiago last month. Photograph: Carlos Parra/National Soccer/ Reuters

Manager: Jorge Sampaoli

Best finish: Third (1962)

World Cup record: P 33, W 11, D 6, L 16

History

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Chile will have more reason than most to fear Brazil in the second round. The hosts have knocked them out of three World Cups, the only occasions in eight appearances in which they have made it out of the group stages. In 1962 they were beaten 4-2 in the semi-finals. At France '98 and SA 2010, Brazil struck again in the second rounds.

Whiteboard

Sampaoli insists they won't compromise their attacking style. He's likely to send his side out with four in attack and press high up the pitch in an attempt to disrupt Spain's patient patterns, get at the perceived vulnerabilities in the Dutch defence and rattle Australia. It's a high octane approach that could work a treat or backfire spectacularly. But it's bound to be fun.

All Star - Alexis Sanchez

The Barcelona attacker might not be the leading light at his club but let's face it, that's not a fair reflection of a player. He still managed 19 goals this season and bagged two against England at Wembley in November last year. The 25-year-old can play up front alongside Valencia striker Eduardo Vargas. Together with Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal they can make an impact.

County Colours – Tyrone

Quick, slick and prepared to kick . . . punch . . . and scratch.

Pundit's corner – Peter Collins: "If they take their scores and stay on the right side of the umpires, they could be in pole position."

Prospects
Opening against Australia on June 13th is their best chance for maximum points in Group B. If they achieve that, a final game against the Netherlands could be a shoot-out for second behind group favourites Spain.

FINAL SQUAD

Goalkeepers:
1 Claudio Bravo (Real Sociedad/Esp), 12 Cristopher Toselli (Universidad Catolica), 23 Johnny Herrera (Universidad de Chile).

Defenders: 2 Eugenio Mena (Santos/Bra), 3 Miiko Albornoz (Malmo/Swe), 4 Mauricio Isla (Juventus/Ita), 13 Jose Rojas (Universidad de Chile), 17 Gary Medel (Cardiff City/Wal), 18 Gonzalo Jara (Nottingham Forest/Eng).

Midfielders: 5 Francisco Silva (Osasuna/Esp), 6 Carlos Carmona (Atalanta/Ita), 8 Arturo Vidal (Juventus/Ita), 10 Jorge Valdivia (Palmeiras/Bra), 15 Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic/Eng), 16 Felipe Gutierrez (Twente/Ned), 19 Jose Pedro Fuenzalida (Colo Colo), 20 Charles Aranguiz (Internacional/Bra), 21 Marcelo Diaz (Basel/Swi),

Forwards: 7 Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona, Esp), 9 Mauricio Pinilla (Cagliari/Ita), 11 Eduardo Vargas (Valencia/Esp),14 Fabian Orellana (Celta./Esp), 22 Esteban Paredes (Colo Colo).

TEAM LINE-UPS

CHILE (v Australia): 1 Claudio Bravo; 4 Mauricio Isla, 17 Gary Medel, 18 Gonzalo Jara, 2 Eugenio Mena; 20 Charles Aranguiz (yc), 21 Marcelo Diaz,  8 Arturo Vidal (16 Felipe Gutierrez, 60 mins); 7 Alexis Sanchez, 10 Jorge Valdivia (15 Jean Beausejour, 68 mins), 11 Eduardo Vargas (9 Mauricio Pinilla, 88 mins).

CHILE (v Spain): 1 Claudio Bravo; 4 Mauricio Isla, 17 Gary Medel, 5 Francisco Silva, 18 Gonzalo Jara, 2 Eugenio Mena (yc); 20 Charles Aranguiz (16 Felipe Gutierrez, 64 mins), 21 Marcelo Diaz; 11 Eduardo Vargas (10 Jorge Valdivia, 85 mins), 8 Arturo Vidal (yc) (6 Carlos Carmona, 88 mins), 7 Alexis Sanchez.

CHILE (v Netherlands): 1 Claudio Bravo; 4 Mauricio Isla, 17 Gary Medel, 5 Francisco Silva (yc) (10 Jorge Valdivia, 70 mins), 18 Gonzalo Jara, 2 Eugenio Mena; 20 Charles Aranguiz, 21 Marcelo Diaz; 7 Alexis Sanchez, 16 Felipe Gutierrez (15 Jean Beausejour, half-time), 11 Eduardo Vargas (9 Mauricio Pinilla, 81 mins).

CHILE (v Brazil): 1 Claudio Bravo; 4 Mauricio Isla, 5 Francisco Silva (yc), 17 Gary Medel (13 Jose Rojas, 108 mins), 18 Gonzalo Jara, 2 Eugenio Mena (yc); 20 Charles Aranguiz, 21 Marcelo Diaz; 8 Arturo Vidal (9 Mauricio Pinilla (yc), 87 mins); 7 Alexis Sanchez, 11 Eduardo Vargas (16 Felipe Gutierrez, 57 mins).

Carl O'Malley

Carl O'Malley

The late Carl O'Malley was an Irish Times sports journalist