Spicy encounter
> Chile prepare for tough match against Portugal
CHILE are preparing for a tough semifinal in the Confederations Cup against European champions Portugal today after surviving a Group B scare against Australia.
A 1-1 draw with the Socceroos in Moscow on Sunday, secured via an equaliser by Martin Rodriguez midway through the second half, enabled the Chileans to slip into the semifinals as the second-ranked team in Group B.
“The Euros includes many of the best teams in the world,” Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi told reporters as he started preparations to face Portugal in Kazan.
“It will be very difficult to play against them,” Pizzi said, expressing hope that “it will also be very difficult for them to play against us.”
Portugal’s star forward Cristiano Ronaldo is the obvious individual threat but his teammates are not to be underestimated. Portugal easily entered the semifinals by hammering New Zealand 4-0 on Saturday.
Chilean star midfielder Arturo Vidal, who plays for German club Bayern Munich, said “our main goal was to proceed to the semifinal.
“Portugal are the champions of Europe, and we will be very focused on the game,” Vidal added in comments carried by Russian state news outlet R-Sport.
“I hope that in the match with Portugal we will be able to play at such a high level,” Vidal said. Now, “our goal is to become champions.”
The match against Australia was the first in the tournament for Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, who had FIFA previously had to sit out because of calf problems sustained on club duty with Manchester City last season.
Australia were eliminated with two points from their three games having matched Chile and Cameroon after losing by the odd goal in five to world champions Germany.
James Troisi’s opener against Chile gave them hope of an upset but a series of missed chances proved costly.
Coach Ange Postecoglou, who has been sniping with Australian media throughout the tournament, took little consolation from solid performances.
“I didn’t come here to sightsee,” he said.
“I came here to achieve something and we have fallen short.”
Veteran forward Tim Cahill, who earned his 100th cap on the day, was more positive however.
“Chile is one of the best teams in the world, so it was great to have an opportunity to play against the best and stand level with them,” Australia’s 37-year-old record scorer said. – dpa