World Cup Team in Focus: Chile

In the 2010 World Cup, the world stood up and took notice of a youthful Chile team. Marcelo Biesla employed his high pressure attacking football often in a 3-1-3-3 formation that was a delight to watch for neutrals. They came second in a relatively easy group behind eventual winners Spain, and were eliminated by perennial favorites Brazil in the round of 16.
Marcelo Biesla is no longer the coach, but the youthful squad of 2010 has come of age and features some of the best players in world football and under coach Jorge Sampaoli, finished 3rd in South American qualification ahead of Uruguay. This team is a danger to anyone and has put up some great performances over the last year against England, Uruguay and Germany among others.
The team features champion players from around the world. In Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez, Juventus pair Arturo Vidal and Mauricio Isla, Cardiff City enforcer Gary Medel and Sociedad keeper Claudio Bravo the team has a strong spine. The likes of Eduardo Vargas, Jorge Valdivia, Marcelo Diaz, Carlos Carmona, Gonzalo Jara, Jean Beausejour, Mauricio Pinilla and Fabian Orellana they have a strong supporting cast with experience in Europe’s top leagues and clubs.
This is a team that was expected to play party poopers for one of the big boys, but having been grouped with both the finalists from the 2010 edition, put a bit of a damper on their hopes. However, their better acclimatization to the hot and humid South American weather, than their European counter parts gives them a certain edge. The unpredictability of the Dutch outfit and the aging spine of Spain gives Chile a chance should they get their tournament off to a flier against Australia. Coming second in this group would mean facing off against home favorites Brazil in the round of 16 – like they did 2010.
Chile will go to Brazil with one of their strongest squads in history. The draw has dealt them a tough hand and they are unlikely to do justice to the hype surrounding the big name players in their squad. They might only play 3 games, if lucky then 4, but expect them to be one of the most entertaining teams at this year’s showpiece event.