Faith in youth makes La Roja roar again

July 14, 2009

If ever an international football team merited the tag of perennial bridesmaids, it’s Chile.

The country’s football federation was founded in 1895 and Chile were one of the four founding members of the South American federation CONMEBOL in 1916, but they have never won a major international honour.

Chile have appeared at 35 Copa Americas, six times as hosts, but have nothing more than four runners-up finishes to show for their efforts, while their best World Cup showing occurred when, as hosts, they reached the semi-finals in 1962.

La Roja have not graced the sport’s greatest tournament since 1998, but recent developments suggest the nation’s footballing fortunes may be about to change.

In June, the Chilean under-20 team won the prestigious Toulon Tournament in France, beating the hosts 1-0 in the final, having lost to Italy by the same scoreline in the 2008 decider.

Their successes in Toulon followed on from a third-place finish at the 2007 Under-20 World Cup in Canada, where a scuffle with local police after their semi-final exit to Argentina was not enough to over-shadow an eye-catching showing in the tournament.

Indeed, 2007 marked a turning point in the national set-up, with enigmatic former Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa taking the reins of the senior side after a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of eventual winners Brazil had ended Chile’s participation in that year’s Copa America.

The 53-year-old Argentine, who led his home nation to Olympic gold in 2004, inherited an ageing squad and quickly set about injecting some youth but the results, to begin with, were mixed.

In their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign Chile earned their first ever point against Uruguay in Montevideo and recorded their first ever win over Argentina in a World Cup qualifier, but 3-0 home defeats to Paraguay and then Brazil were the heaviest in their history.

Gradually, though, Bielsa’s attacking philosophy has taken hold.

Back-to-back wins in Paraguay (2-1) and at home to Bolivia (4-0) at the beginning of June have lifted them to second in the South American standings, one point behind group leaders Brazil with just four matches remaining.

Taxing trips to Brazil and Colombia await, but with the top four teams qualifying automatically, the finals in South Africa are in sight.

“This a cycle that is producing some very promising results and on top of that we are starting to mature as a team,” said Bielsa.

“We’re excited but we haven’t qualified yet. That’s why we remain cautious.”

The last Chilean side to reach the World Cup finals in 1998 boasted the talents of iconic strikers Ivan Zamorano and Marcelo Salas, and Salas came out of international retirement to score both goals in the 2-2 draw in Uruguay.

The 34-year-old’s return, though, was a short-lived affair, as Bielsa began to place increasing faith in his young tyros, led by 21-year-old centre-back Gary Medel, classy Villarreal midfielder Matias Fernandez and 20-year-old Udinese forward Alexis Sanchez.

“He’s a striker capable of weaving past three of four defenders and winning you games,” said defender Arturo Vidal of his team-mate Sanchez.

“Single-handedly, he can unlock any defensive formation.”

The average age of the starting XI that took to the field in the 4-0 victory over Bolivia in Santiago was a mere 24, with diminutive striker Humberto Suazo of Mexican side Monterrey the grandfather of the side at just 28 years old.

Sanchez dedicated the second of his two goals that night to Salas, who announced his retirement from the game in November and played his farewell match in front of 60,000 fans at the beginning of June.

PARIS (AFP)

Tags: american federation, Argentina, Argentine, arturo vidal, bolivia, brazil, bridesmaids, Canada, Chile, colombia, conmebol, copa america, copa americas, faith, final exit, football federation, France, Gary Medel, home nation, Humberto Suazo, international football, international honour, Italy, Ivan Zamorano, marcelo bielsa, Monterrey, Montevideo, olympic gold, PARIS, recent developments, reins, s chile, scoreline, South Africa, South American, Toulon, toulon tournament, World Cup, world cup qualifier

Cup holders Pompey go with Mvuemba

January 12, 2009

PORTSMOUTH, England (AFP) – Portsmouth manager Tony Adams is to give midfielder Arnold Mvuemba a rare start as the FA Cup holders look to avoid falling at the first hurdle in their defence, against Bristol City.

A goalless third round draw at Fratton Park has led to a replay at second-tier City’s Ashton Gate ground on Tuesday.

Pompey travel west facing a midfield injury crisis.

The experienced Sean Davis has been ruled out, along with long-term absentees Richard Hughes and Papa Bouba Diop, after he failed to report for training following a weekend stomach bug.

Now Adams wants Mvuemba to fill the gap left by his friend Lassana Diarra, who recently left Portsmouth for Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Mvuemba 23, played alongside Diarra for France’s Under-20 side but has not ‘kicked on’ as well as his more well-known compatriot.

"Technically Arnold is very good, he can pass the ball and keep it very well. He was excellent when we played AC Milan earlier in the season but did not do so well against Newcastle so needs to find that consistency.

"He is a young guy who has got to grab his chance now he has got it. I have told the players ‘go and fight and if you do not the manager perhaps looks elsewhere’.

"I remember watching him in the Toulon Tournament alongside his old mate Diarra and while Lassy put on a bit of strength, Arnold never did.

"In the Premier League I think you need that resilience and the kid needs to get in the gym, toughen up and hopefully he can take his chance."

Portsmouth have won just once in their last eight games – and that was only in a ‘dead’ UEFA Cup tie against Heerenveen – and their run of poor results has edged the south coast side ever closer towards the Premier League drop zone.

Former Arsenal and England captain Adams insisted Tuesday’s result would have no bearing on Pompey’s push to stay in the top-flight.

"Hopefully we will not have to talk about a bad result but to be honest it is irrelevant in terms of the league – different day, different team, different competition.

"Wins can give you confidence but you can bounce back from a defeat and the boys are ready to get into the next round.

"People will think there may be a shock but I cannot do anything about that. As far as I am concerned I have prepared my team to win the game."

Other third round replays on Tuesday feature matches between Burnley and QPR, Crewe and Millwall, Norwich and Charlton and Peterborough and West Brom.

Tuesday’s re-scheduled third round Cup ties see Midlands rivals Birmingham and Wolves go head-to-head, with Cheltenham up against Doncaster, Leyton Orient taking on Sheffield United while non-league Histon, who’ve already knocked out fallen giants Leeds out of the Cup this season, face Swansea.