FRANCE 98 – Match n°19: CHILE – AUSTRIA (Group B), statement by Nelson ACOSTA, coach for the CHILE team

Comments from the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium at SAINT-ETIENNE

“If there are no problems from now until Wednesday 17 June, the team that plays against AUSTRIA will be the same as the one that played against ITALY. Marcelo SALAS (11) has recovered and trained along with the rest of the team; the doctor has given him authorisation to play. Tomorrow’s match will be another match. We accepted the penalty during our match with ITALY and have nothing more to say about the call. A referee can make a mistake as well as anyone. At tomorrow’s match we must win three points. CHILE and AUSTRIA will play to win. As for us, we will play our game plan. It’s not a question of going forward or defending. We must be careful of several things, first off, not to receive a second yellow card, especially for those who have already been shown one. At the 1982 World Cup in Spain, the last time we played against AUSTRIA, we missed a penalty kick. It’s forgotten now. If the same situation arises with AUSTRIA, the shooter will have our total confidence; it will either be Marcelo SALAS (11) or Ivan ZAMORANO (9). In Group B, the four teams are equally strong, there isn’t a favourite. We’ve played quite well until now and we believe in our potential. We are going to continue to play attractive football.”