FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template

Fearsome firepower up front helped Chile to their first World Cup finals in 16 years.

Fittingly, it was goal difference that saved their blushes, the partnership of Ivan Zamorano and Marcelo Salas yielding 23 goals to put them through in fourth place in South America ahead of Peru. A hat-trick for Salas, the River Plate forward jealously sought by some top clubs in Europe, against Colombia served as a warning to Chile’s rivals in France.

The ‘Matador’ or killer has struck up a formidable rapport with Zamorano, Chile’s equivalent to a destroyer in the penalty box. A former top goalscorer in the Spanish league, the Inter Milan striker became the victim of injury, missing the last four qualifiers, although he played a key role for his club late in the season. The Chilean attack has a third powerful string to its bow in exciting newcomer Sebastien Rozental, but the 3.5 million pound Rangers signing has failed to make much of an impression in Scotland owing to a knee injury.

While this trio will be a real thorn in the side of the defences of Italy, Cameroon and Austria, it is not all sweetness and light for coach Nelson Acosta.

A rearguard division that conceded 18 goals in 16 qualifying matches is going to give Uruguayan-born Acosta a few sleepless nights this summer, with Javier Margas his only defender of real substance. With a moderate midfield, Chile’s hungry strikers may also find themselves starved of ammunition.

Chile will be desperate to make it through to the knock-out stages-something they have not achieved since the finals were held in their own country in 1962.

They were banned by FIFA from competing in 1994 over an incident involving goalkeeper Roberto Rojas, who feigned injury after a smoke bomb went off in a qualifying match against Brazil.