Knock on Wood

Football magazine Goal have an article about the Chilean team and their injury status. There are some key players that are currently injured, but none of them are likely to miss the World Cup which starts in June. Hopefully, we will have a fit team

Humberto Suazo (Real Zaragoza): has an inflammation in his left leg, after clashing with Sergio Ramos in Zaragoza's meeting with Real Madrid. In principle it's a four-week injury, but doctors say that full recuperation will in fact take longer than that.

Claudio Bravo (Real Sociedad): has suffered a grade 2 strain to his right knee, and will miss the rest of the Segunda Division season in Spain. He will instead work on his recovery in Chile and should be back in two or three weeks.

Gonzalo Jara (West Bromwich): has a metatarsal problem in his right foot and has not played in over two months, but is expected to return soon.

Source: Goal.com

Mark Gonzalez chat with FIFA

FIFA.com have an article posted where Mark Gonzalez is interviewed. He speaks about his family history, being born in South Africa and moving to Chile as a child. 'Speedy Gonzalez' also talks about La Roja and the importance of coach Bielsa.

Like the other interviews posted before in this blog, a short section is presented and you can read the rest here.

Moreover, this will be a first finals for Gonzalez and his fellow La Roja squad-mates, given Chile’s absence from world football’s top table since France 1998. The former Liverpool flyer firmly believes that Argentinian coach Marcelo Bielsa deserves a large share of the credit for their return: “At first we struggled a bit to adapt to the tempo and system of play that coach Bielsa was trying to get across.”

“But by the end of [South American Zone] qualifying we were playing on instinct, with a well-structured system. What matters most is that we proved we’re a tough team to play and we always go out to try and win,” added Gonzalez, with obvious pride. “He [Bielsa] came to Chile to change how we played the game. What we're doing now is totally different to before. There’s no other coach like him: he’s a perfectionist.”

“He’s very respectful, is a very good guy and is always approachable. When it comes to work he’s very strict, very disciplined. And everything he does is reflected in our play,” continued Gonzalez on former Argentina boss Bielsa, who took over the Chilean helm in August 2007.

Picture: Google

FourFourTwo Interview Tello

World known football magazine FourFourTwo has posted an interview of Chilean player Rodrigo Tello, a 30-year old winger currently playing for Besiktas in Turkey. I will post a passage below but read the whole interview here.

Chile's squad, which has the youngest average age of all the South American teams, boasts one of the World Cup's potential stars in 21-year-old forward Alexis Sanchez, midfielder Rodrigo Tello told Reuters.

Sanchez, who plays for Italy's Udinese, has scored three times in his last four Serie A outings.

"We have a lot of players who have a lot of hunger, they want to play like they did in the street before, at home," said Tello, whose name reverberated around Europe in November when his goal secured Turkey's Besiktas a 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford which ended the Premier League side's 23-match unbeaten home record in the Champions League stretching back to 2005.

"They like putting on Reggaeton music in the team bus," he added with a wry smile, referring to a blend of Reggae, Latin music and Spanish-language rap.

At 30 and a family man, he is one of the veterans in the squad having won a bronze medal with Chile at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

"We have a very young team and we are working with a new coach who has changed our mentality. We had a very tough qualifying and now all the Chilean people expect a lot from us."

Picture: Google

EA Sports 2010 FIFA World Cup

In about two days, the FIFA World Cup game is out for PS3 and other hardware. You will get the chance to play with Chile, either through the qualifying round or as directly qualified at the World Cup.

There is also a gameplay where you can 'captain your team'. Here you can create your own player or use one of the existing to simply use only this player in the game. What most people use is the multi-player online mode. Play against others who can be anywhere in the world. From Sweden to Australia, or your cousin in Valparaiso. Chile is ranked with 4 stars out of 5.

I have found pictures and videos of how it may look like. The shirts are not similar to the original but it is just details, as long as the players names and stats are correct.

The picture and video is from user jotaplay which I found at EASports.com

Buy it and represent Chile!

EA Sports: Bolivia (1) - 6 (Chile)

Sanchéz scores again

Alexis Sanchéz (3-1): Serie A (2010-04-25) Udinese - Siena 4-1

For the second game in a row, Alexis Sanchéz scores for Udinese. This time it was against bottom team Siena which they beat with 4-1. The goal was like many other times a shot from inside the penalty area. El niño maravilla has an ability to be @ the right place @ the right time this year. He also managed to get a penalty kick with him as he was tripped inside the penalty area at the end of the game, allowing Antonio Di Natale score his 25(?) goal for the season. Amazing! Watch the goal below.

GOAL interview Jiménez

Chilean player Luis Jiménez was interviewed by Sergio Stanco from football magazine Goal about his career and chances of playing in the World Cup. I present a short passage of the interview, you can read the rest here.

GOAL: What does the Chile national team represent for the people after the Earthquakes?

LJ: Even though I wasn’t a part of the group of players who helped qualify the nation, I think that the players who were a part of the side followed the situation very closely, because the Chilean population did go through an Earthquake.

GOAL: How are your reports with Bielsa? What is your role in the National team?

LJ: With Bielsa, I have an excellent relationship. Before going to West Ham, I needed a document that would allow me to play in England (like a visa), and he helped me to obtain it, saying that I was an important player for the national team. The group of players that he used, though, did very well and seeing that they finished second in the qualification group, I believe that the World Cups go those who have earnt them. Personally, I doubt I will go.

GOAL: A Chilean player you believe is an excellent acquisition for European or Italian football in particular?

LJ: To say [Udinese striker] Alexis Sanchez would be too easy seeing that he is doing very well in Italy. I suggest Waldo Ponce, the Chilean defender who plays for Universidad Catolica.

GOAL: How come Matiaz Fernandez has not been able to impose himself like many imagined?

LJ: I ask myself the same thing (laughs). It is very strange. He arrived in Europe, to Villarreal, after being elected as the best South American player, but has not been able to make a name for himself like he knows. At Sporting now, he is doing well, but not at the level we all expected him to. He is not demonstrating his qualities on a continual basis.

Sanchéz goal

Alexis Sanchéz (1-0): Coppa Italia 1/2 finals (2010-04-21) Udinese - Roma (1-0)

'El Niño Maravilla' scored beautifully once again, this time against league leaders Roma in the second match of the semi finals of Coppa Italia. Udinese won by Sanchéz only goal but are still defeated due to Roma winning the first game in february. The goal can be seen below.

Prediction

Chile's chance of winning the World Cup 2010 according to Castrol

Orellana goal

Fabian Orellana (1-0): La Liga (2010-04-18) Xerez - Racing Santander 2-2

Orellana scored the first goal for Xerez in the important game against Racing Santander. Xerez are in last place of the league but playing very well this month, specially Orellana. They have six points up to safe place and all teams at the bottom won at least one point this weekend. The hope is not out, yet.

What about the goal? Orellana recieves a low pass and Racing goalkeeper is sleeping at the beginning of the game, Orellana shoots and hits the keeper but get the rebound back and does not make a second mistake. Watch it below.

Suazo goal

Humberto Suazo (1-1): La Liga (2010-04-14) Zaragoza - Mallorca 1-1


Suazo keeps making himself more popular in the Northern Spain area, scoring yet another goal for his temporary club Zaragoza. The goal is really beautiful, you have to see it below. Zaragoza are at the moment safe at the near bottom of the table, but the other teams are getting closer.

Pinilla & Jiménez are out

As I wrote yesterday, Valdés and Pizarro are doubtful about their future in the Chilean team. Now it is Mauricio Pinilla's turn to tell us that he will most likely NOT play for Chile in South Africa. In an interview, the Grosseto attacker said that he gives up hopes in playing for Bielsa's team. He thinks that Bielsa already has a team that he believes in and that "outsiders" like him will not get a chance to prove their skills. Pinilla has played in the national team, however he has shown an immature personality in his younger years that still haunts him. The Serie B top scorer will not play for Grosseto more this season due to an injury and is also placed in several higher ranked Italian clubs. Today there were rumors of Jiménez's Parma has laid an offer for the striker.

At the same time, Jiménez also speaks about the same issue in another interview. He believes that the Italian based players (excluding Sanchéz & Isla) are not a priority for Bielsa's plans. Jiménez speaks warm of Valdés, who is a friend even though their different clubs.

Pictures from: http://www.transfermarkt.de

Valdés & Pizarro to South Africa?

Jaime Valdés spoke in an interview about his chances of taking a place in La Roja for the World Cup. He has only played two games for Chile, and they were several years ago. Valdés is currently playing his best football in his 10-year Italian career. In the interview, he also said that Bielsa should consider calling David Pizarro, who has also not played any game in the World Cup qualifying round. Both Valdés and Pizarro have been at the top of their game. Pizarro's Roma are now number 1 in Serie A, after Inter lost two points in their draw against Fiorentina this weekend.
Should Bielsa call Valdés and Pizarro?
There is definitely competition for the offensive/creative midfielder roles in La Roja. Valdivia, Orellana, Jimenez, Matí and Villanueva are some player that all have superb creative qualities. FIFA has statistics of all players who played for La Roja in the qualifying round.

Pictures from: http://www.transfermarkt.de

Weekend goals

Alexis Sanchéz (0-1): Serie A (2010-04-11) Livorno - Udinese 0-2

'El niño maravilla' has woken up late this season scoring for the second week in a row. His goal came early in the game, allowing Udinese to have an advantage throughout the rest of teh game. Hopefully he will keep this good form for the World Cup which starts in two months. Alexis currently said that he is enjoying this period in his career. We have high expectations of you.

Luis Jiménez (2-3): Serie A (2010-04-11) Napoli - Parma 2-3

Jiménez was loaned to Parma from Inter (via West Ham) during the transfer opening in January and has made quite an impression on Parma. He has been expulsed two games in a row in February. Today, he scored the last goal for Parma, who's had a descent season as newcomers of Serie A. Jimenez has played about 20 games for Chile, even a few as a captain. However, his appearance under Bielsa's team has not been great, he has only played two games in the qualifying round back in 2007.



Arturo Vidal (1-1): Bundesliga (2010-04-10) Leverkusen - Bayern München 1-1

Arturo Vidal has been one of Leverkusen's best player this season. The team has been at the top of the league most of the season. This weekend Leverkusen played against rivals Bayern München, who are league leaders and Champions League semi-finalists. The game ended 1-1 and Vidal's goal was not the nicest, a rebound from a freekick placed him alone in front of the goal, but he's a defensive midfielder whose yellow cards are far more common than goals. His importance for the both Leverkusen and La Roja is indisputable and I see no problem in him being a starter of La Roja's first three games in the World Cup.

Happy Chilean Easter Weekend

Alexis Sanchez (1-0): Serie A (2010-04-03) Udinese - Juventus 3-0

El "niño maravilla" scored the first goal against the old lady Juventus. His Udinese managed to win big, by three goals and are safe from relegation at this moment. The goal was pretty nice, a shot from Di Natale that touched the bar, and the rebound went to Alexis Sanchez that did not make any mistake. He is often a starting player of the team and is also a prospect to be seen at the World Cup. I'm sure that nobody will doubt his talent.

Jaime Valdés (1-0): Serie A (2010-04-03) Atalanta - Siena 2-0

Valdés is once again a goalscorer in Italian Serie A. Atalanta is in a struggle for survival in the league and, with the win against Siena they are only three points behind safe-place 17 which Lazio currently are holding. The goal from Valdés? It is a beautiful shot from outside the area, watch it below.

Mauricio Pinilla (0-1): Serie B (2010-04-02) Ascoli - Grosseto 1-1

Pinilla has scored once again for Grosseto in Serie B. His team are targeting a Serie A place, only three points behind. Next week, they will play against at home against Vicenza which are on 16th place. Pinilla's goal is OK, scoring with the tip of his toe from a center. Will Bielsa take him out after scoring almost 30 goals in a season? Pinilla hasn't played any game for La Roja since they appointed Bielsa. Can he be a Joker for the Chilean team in South Africa?

Humberto Suazo (2-0): La Liga (2010-04-03) Real Zaragoza - Malaga 2-0

Suazo has scored again, this time against Malaga. Zaragoza has really transformed since January when Suazo and others were brought in to the team. They are on 15th place and is expected a mid-table placement. The goal was really nice, a real striker move by Suazo. El Chupete with El niño maravilla on his side will cause many nightmares for Spain's, Swiss' and Honduran defenders.

13

Chile is now ranked by FIFA in their April 2010 ranking as Top-13 Nation in the world.

1. Spain
2. Brazil
3. The Netherlands
4. Portugal
5. Italy
6. Germany
7. England
8. France
9. Argentina
10. Croatia
11. Greece
12. Russia
13. Chile
14. Egypt
    
15. Serbia

20. Switzerland
36. Honduras

Chile - Venezuela 0-0

Chile played a friendly match against Venezuela last night in Temuco, Chile. The team was formed with players from South American teams only. No teams were able to score and according to Prensafutbol, Chile's best player during the match was the 28-year old midfielder Rodrigo Millar from Colo-Colo.