Chile regroup for Portugal challenge

MOSCOW: Chile need to recover quickly from a bruising draw with Australia as they take on European champions Portugal in the first of the Confederations Cup semifinals tomorrow.

Chile and Germany have the disadvantage of a day less to recover than their opponents when they take on Portugal and Mexico respectively.

Chile have just three days to prepare for European champions Portugal in Kazan on Wednesday after a physically demanding 1-1 draw against Australia in Moscow.

Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi said the day less than Portugal was “of course a disadvantage”, but also struck a positive note – the South Americans will have a day extra to prepare for the final if they win.

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Charles Aranguiz is one player needing treatment after he was replaced at half-time in pain following a tackle by Tim Cahill.

Chile’s Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal said: “When you have so little recovery time, it’s very complicated at this level, but you have to try to recover these days and have a good show.”

The Copa America cham- pions will have to find a way to stop world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo, who has two goals in three matches at the tournament, while emphasising that Portugal are not a one-man team.

“Cristiano is a player who is doing things very well, but we do not play against him, we play against Portugal,” Vidal said.

World champions Germany, meanwhile, do have more time than Chile if a day less than their opponents, Mexico, before Thursday’s second semifinal match and, following a 3-1 win over Cameroon, are happy they can remain on the Black Sea at Sochi. – DPA