16 June, 05:00 pm IST
Mbombela Stadium
Chile
Sanchez Chile
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Anybody remember the Chilean legends Ivan Zamorano and Marcelo Salas ? These were the two players who had set the footballing world on fire during the world cup 1998 at France . Although they lost in the knockout stages , Chile were praised in all quarters for their attacking display . Come 2010 and the present Chilean team without any star studded players would be desperate to emulate the achievements of their predecessors and put up a good show at the world cup . The team is coached by the legendary tactician Marcelo Bielsa who spearheaded them into second position in the qualifying campaign next only to Brazil . This will be Chile’s eighth appearance in the finals having last qualified in 1998. Last time in 1998 , they played some superb football but could only manage 3 draws . Hence the onus would be on this young team to gather their first win since 1962 .
The preparation of the Chilean team has been marred with injuries with their most notable and top striker Humberto Suazo most certainly seem to start from the bench due to a thigh injury . Alexis Sanchez , the Udinese youngster has been billed as one of the young players to watch in this World Cup and the 21-year-old will get his chance to shine on Wednesday. Matias Fernandes is also a key man to watch out for in his defensive midfield role .
Coach Bielsa’s dynamic and much heralded 3-3-1-3 formation – in which one of the three midfielders protects the backline with the other two joining the attack down the flanks with the idea of playing the entire game in the opposition’s half – resulted in eye-catching displays. Many pundits have stated that chile would be one of the teams to watch out for in this world cup . In a group which also features spain , both the teams would be eyeing the second spot .
FORM GUIDE
May 30: Chile 3-0 Israel (Friendly)
May 30: Chile 1-0 Northern Ireland (Friendly)
May 26: Chile 3-0 Zambia (Friendly)
May 16: Mexico 1-0 Chile (Friendly)
May 5: Chile 2-0 Trinidad & Tobago (Friendly)
EXPECTED STARTING LINE UP: (3-3-1-3): Bravo, Vidal, Jara, Ponce; Millar, Carmona, Medel; Mati Fernandez; Beausejour, Paredes, Sanchez
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Honduras
Wilson Palacios
Honduras have achieved a huge dream when the soccer frenzy nation qualified for the world cup automatically .With some players playing for foreign clubs , the team is not short on experience . However the build up to the world cup has been a horrendous one with fresh injuries , defeats in friendlies and the coach threatening to quit . Rueda knows that a victory today will put them in the driving seat to qualify for the second stage . Due to late injuries , Jerry Palacios has been called to the national squad which means that this is the first time that 3 brothers are playing for the same team at the world cup .
Reinaldo Rueda’s side have failed to win since beating the USA 3-1 in January, losing to Turkey and Venezuala while they were beaten 3-0 by Romania in their final warm-up game.
They have also drawn with Azerbaijan and Belarus, scoring only two goals in their last five games. Honduras also have concerns over Tottenham midfielder Wilson Palacios and Inter Milan striker David Suazo, who have both been suffering from thigh injuries, and Rueda has been keen not to rush his star duo back too soon. Palacios is expected to make the starting line up as he has been training recently .
However, Suazo’s fitness is not as positive and a decision is set to be made today on the 30-year-old . The captain Amado Gueverra would be a key man in the midfield and he would have to play a superb match to keep hondurans hopes alive .
FORM GUIDE
Honduras
June 5: Romania 3-0 Honduras (Friendly)
June 2: Azerbaijan 0-0 Honduras (Friendly)
May 27: Belarus 2-2 Honduras (Friendly)
April 21: Honduras 0-1 Venezuela (Friendly)
March 3: Turkey 2-0 Honduras (Friendly)
EXPECTED STARTING LINE UP: ( 4-4-2) Valladares, Sabillon, Chavez, Figueroa, Izaguirre; Turcios, Palacios, Guevara, Julio Leon; Pavon, Suazo
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AUTHORS PREDICTION: Both teams would want to start their campaign without defeat. Hence they would be cautious . However their ambition to reach the knockout stages would mean that collecting full 3 points would be a huge bonus . Chile’s attacking flair might prove to be too much for the Hondurans .
CHILE 1 : 0 HONDURAS
