Chile vs. Australia
2014 FIFA World Cup
June 13 | 6 pm ET| Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba, Brazil
TV: ESPN2, Univision, CBC in Canada
Chile come into this match against Australia on Friday (6 pm ET, ESPN2, Univision and CBC in Canada) as one of the dark horses of the tournament despite being in a group with the 2010 finalists. Can they start off the tournament on the right foot?
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KING ARTURO INJURED: There have been varying reports over the past couple of days about Arturo Vidal’s health. The latest suggests that he will not be starting for Chile when they take field Friday night. If this is true, they would be losing one of the top players in the entire tournament, one capable of things like this.
CAN AUSTRALIA WIN A GAME?: The Socceroos come into their third straight World Cup in rebuilding mode. Coach Ange Postecoglou left his captain, Lucas Neill, at home and handed Crystal Palace midfielder Mile Jedinak the armband. Many people do not think they have a shot at getting out of the group, and one well-known prognostiactor has given them a 0-percent chance of winning the World Cup.
SCARE TACTICS: There have been some great ads from many different companies ahead of the World Cup highlighting the famous players that will feature in it. One Chilean beer company, Cerveza Cristal, had a different strategy. They have used the slogan, “Chile is scary” in commercials meant to frighten opposing fans. The one featuring Australia is below.
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THE STAR YOU KNOW
- Tim Cahill, forward, Australia. The 34-year-old will likely be playing in his last World Cup for the Socceroos after recently becoming their all-time leading goalscorer.. The New York Red Bull has played as a center forward in recent friendlies, allowing him to get closer to goal.
THE PLAYER WHO WILL SURPRISE YOU
- Eduardo Vargas, forward, Chile. The 24-year-old forward scored twice against Egypt in a recent friendly and should pair up with Alexis Sanchez up top. This is not a recent thing either; he scored five goals during CONMEBOL qualifying.
