Chile
Chile Profile
Team Facts
Name: Chile
Coach: Marcelo Bielsa
Captain: Claudio Bravo
Star players: Matias Fernandez, Alexis Sanchez and Humberto Suazo
Team nickname: La Roja
Titles held: 0
FIFA ranking: 15
The Chilean football association is the second oldest South American football association. It celebrates its 115th year in operation this year. The 2010 World Cup in South Africa will be their chance for redemption after poor performances at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups.
Chile was one of the thirteen teams that took part in the inaugural 1930 World Cup. They beat France and Mexico without conceding a goal but were knocked out of the finals by Argentina. Their best World Cup result was on home soil in 1962 when they came third.
The Chileans qualified with ease for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. After finding talented players to fill the void left by Marcelo Salas and Ivan Zamorano, La Roja believes they have what it takes to excel in South Africa. They finished second in the South American qualifying group just one point behind Brazil. The match that sealed their qualification was spectacular against Colombia, they won 4-1.
During qualification the Chileans scored 32 goals, of which ten were scored by the effective Humberto Suazo. Chile also recorded ten wins, the most in their qualifying group.
The Chileans are known for their attacking style and this makes it easy to pinpoint the performers as they are found in the front of the team. The front runners are Matias Fernandez, Alexis Sanchez and Humberto Suazo. The combination of these three players is very effective especially in front of the goal. Fernadez, the ultimate schemer, combined with the dynamic Sanchez form part of the lethal team that shows exactly what the Chilean team is about. Suazo, who has a knack of appearing in the right place at the right time, is alongside them.
The Chilean team is coached by the Argentinean, Marcelo Bielsa. Nicknamed El Loco (the Madman) for his unconditional and inimitable dedication to football, he has demanded the commitment of his players so that the team can rise to its former glory. The 54-year old is hard-working and disciplined and is a devoted tactician, a characteristic that have made him very popular in Chile.
He recently said to Fifa.com "I'm not looking at this as a chance to get revenge for what happened to me in 2002. Nothing I can ever achieve in the future will make that sadness go away. The most important thing at a World Cup is to make sure the players are in top form and that depends on so many different factors. Some of them you can control, but some are the result of everything the player has been through in the previous ten months. I hope everything comes together for Chile."
While in Nelson Mandela Bay for the match between Chile and Switzerland on 21 June, take the time to indulge in the pleasure of being in a place that combines big city living with small town values:
See the sun set on a veld covered with flowers and wild plants, watch wild animals run free and experience the thrill of watching a shark pass your boat; all this can be done in the malaria free area of Nelson Mandela Bay. The Addo Elephant National Park, an hour’s drive from the city centre, caters for all animal lovers. Enjoy the Big 7, consisting of elephant, rhino, Cape buffalo, lion, leopard, southern right whale and great white shark, in their natural habitat in an open vehicle or guided walk.
If marine life fascinates you, then diving in Nelson Mandela Bay is a must. Beautiful reefs, interesting shipwrecks from years gone by, colourful soft coral species and the warm water of Algoa Bay will keep you in the water for hours. Surfing, wind surfing, jet skiing and sailing can also be enjoyed in the Bay.
A delicious steak covered in a creamy mushroom sauce, chicken and prawn curry, an espetada done in a red wine sauce, sushi, or a decadent piece of double chocolate cake; will satisfy the fussiest palate. Nelson Mandela Bay has the highest capita ratio of restaurants per population in South Africa and with all that variety; everyone will definitely find something to suite their taste.
A vibrant array of night clubs to dance the night away, pubs where you can enjoy a beer and a game of pool, and award-winning cocktail bars that serve anything from a banana split martini to bubblegum bazooka; make Nelson Mandela Bay a popular party destination.
For the art lover, there are many theatre shows, museums, and art galleries in and around the Bay. Cinemas that show both the new and the old invite all for time to escape to a world that fulfills all your dreams.
For more information on the above activities or more activities on offer in Nelson Mandela Bay contact Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism on +27 (0) 41 582 2575 or email info@nmbt.co.za.