South American Dreams

At this year’s FIFA World Cup, there will be five competing countries from South America. They are the much fancied Brazil, unorganized Argentina, and possible shocks coming from Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay. For one of these countries, the World Cup won’t just be a football tournament.

After an earthquake reaching 8.8 magnitude on the Richter Scale devastated the country, Chile’s World Cup dreams could possibly be in turmoil. When they hosted the World Cup in 1962, they were also against the odds when they suffered an awful earthquake. They managed to host an impressive tournament, in which they got to the semi-finals. This spurred that generation on to greater success, and could this possibly do the same for this generation?

After finishing second behind an impressive Brazil in qualifying, Marcelo Biesla’s team of what used to be an underachieving nation into a probable dark horse of the World Cup. With Zaragoza’s on loan striker Humberto Suazo leading the way with many important goals, he wasn’t the only one in impressive form. By his performances in qualifying, it is a surprise that Claudio Bravo is playing in the Spanish second division and Real Sociedad. Other impressive players were Udinese’s Mauricio Isla, Boca Junior’s Gary Medel and Bayer Leverkusen’s Arturo Vidal.

They have got an extremely tough draw, which they did not deserve. Spain, the favourites for the tournament, Switzerland are always going to be a hard draw and Honduras could impress. Chile will probably qualify from this group, but a probable tie against one of Brazil, Portugal or the Ivory Coast could prove a stumbling block or the making of them.

Whatever happens at this year’s World Cup, Chile will return home as heroes and will help to lift and inspire a nation through what could be troubled times ahead.

Ask questions on this years World Cup, Players, World or Club Football by commenting on this blog and a few will be answered in my next blog.