Date: June 13, 2014
Time: 6:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba
Overall Head-to-Head Record (W-L-T): 3-0-1 Chile
Last Match: 2000 Friendly. Chile def. Australia 2-1.
Line: Chile -250
Group B Preview here.
Starting Lineups posted separately once they're announced.
Team Profiles
World Ranking: Chile (14th), Australia (62nd)
Managers: Jorge Sampaoli (CHI), Ange Postecoglou (AUS)
Captains: Claudio Bravo (CHI), Mile Jedinak (AUS)
World Cup Appearances: 9 (CHI), 4 (AUS)
Best Finish: Chile (Third Place, 1962), Australia (Round of 16, 2006)
Qualifying Records: Chile (9-6-1, GF: 29, GA: 25), Australia (8-2-4, GF: 25, GA: 12)
Pre-Tournament Game Results
Chile
June 4th - Chile def. Northern Ireland 2-0
Australia
June 6th - Croatia def. Australia 1-0
Rosters
Injuries/Discipline
Chile: Arturo Vidal (Questionable - Knee)
Australia: Mark Bresciano (Questionable - Back)
Overview
Chile in Australia meet for the first time since 2000 in Cuiaba. For Chile, it's a must-win game against the worst ranked team in the tournament. For Australia's it's the first of many defensive tests they'll face in Brazil against a team they have never beaten before.
Seen as one of the darkhorses in this tournament, Chile play a style of soccer that will endear themselves to the most disinterested fan. In a nutshell, yeah we may push forward too far and surrender goals but that's fine as long as we score more than you. Think Baylor football for my predominantly American audience. 3 out-and-out strikers will be joined by 4 midfielders leaving just 3 alone at the back as Chile will look to take as many chances on goal as possible and flood the area with attackers.
Australia are a bit of a mystery other then they're not expected to do much in this group. Inexperienced at the back and decimated by injury up front, this is a team struggling to find effective personnel groupings after their 2006 run to the knockout round. They'll play a defensive style against Chile but their lack of time playing together as well as a lack of pace could be a nightmare in this game.
Most telling stat of all going in to this game? The Socceroos have not won a game since November 2013. Chile on the other hand won 3 in that time period and scored 8 goals in the process.
Biggest concern for Chile is the health of Arturo Vidal. Struggling to come back from a meniscus injury, Chile say he is fully fit despite aggravating the injury in pre-tournament. Fit or not, Chile may be wise to leave the Juventus star on the bench for this contest.
Personnel
In the Chilean Third: The losses of Josh Kennedy and Tom Rogic have crippled Australia's attacking ability. They have some options though with Cahill in the centre and speed on the wings. Chile are very susceptible to quick breaks and counters, it's just a matter of whether Australia have enough to take advantage of it. Advantage: Even.
In the Midfield: Big stylistic difference here as Australia would love to slow the game down and control possession in the midfield. Chile will press them hard though to force a turnover and get back to attacking. If Australia can withstand the pressure then they may be alright in this match but I don't think they're as technically strong on the ball as they need to be to do so. Advantage: Chile.
In the Australian Third: It's a young, patchwork defensive line that lacks a lot of pace for Australia. Chile have been licking their chops looking at this team since the draw was announced. Advantage: Chile.
Goalkeeping: Claudio Bravo is one of the top goalkeepers in La Liga. Mathew Ryan is the future for Australia at the position but will be in his first match on a global stage against a high-powered offence. Advantage: Chile.
Seen as one of the darkhorses in this tournament, Chile play a style of soccer that will endear themselves to the most disinterested fan. In a nutshell, yeah we may push forward too far and surrender goals but that's fine as long as we score more than you. Think Baylor football for my predominantly American audience. 3 out-and-out strikers will be joined by 4 midfielders leaving just 3 alone at the back as Chile will look to take as many chances on goal as possible and flood the area with attackers.
Australia are a bit of a mystery other then they're not expected to do much in this group. Inexperienced at the back and decimated by injury up front, this is a team struggling to find effective personnel groupings after their 2006 run to the knockout round. They'll play a defensive style against Chile but their lack of time playing together as well as a lack of pace could be a nightmare in this game.
Most telling stat of all going in to this game? The Socceroos have not won a game since November 2013. Chile on the other hand won 3 in that time period and scored 8 goals in the process.
Biggest concern for Chile is the health of Arturo Vidal. Struggling to come back from a meniscus injury, Chile say he is fully fit despite aggravating the injury in pre-tournament. Fit or not, Chile may be wise to leave the Juventus star on the bench for this contest.
Personnel
In the Chilean Third: The losses of Josh Kennedy and Tom Rogic have crippled Australia's attacking ability. They have some options though with Cahill in the centre and speed on the wings. Chile are very susceptible to quick breaks and counters, it's just a matter of whether Australia have enough to take advantage of it. Advantage: Even.
In the Midfield: Big stylistic difference here as Australia would love to slow the game down and control possession in the midfield. Chile will press them hard though to force a turnover and get back to attacking. If Australia can withstand the pressure then they may be alright in this match but I don't think they're as technically strong on the ball as they need to be to do so. Advantage: Chile.
In the Australian Third: It's a young, patchwork defensive line that lacks a lot of pace for Australia. Chile have been licking their chops looking at this team since the draw was announced. Advantage: Chile.
Goalkeeping: Claudio Bravo is one of the top goalkeepers in La Liga. Mathew Ryan is the future for Australia at the position but will be in his first match on a global stage against a high-powered offence. Advantage: Chile.
Chile will win if:
They play within themselves and don't go too crazy pushing forward. Australia have limited in the way of offensive weapons but they're more then capable of punishing Chile if they over-extend up the field. Chile will get goals if they stay within their system and 1 or 2 is probably all they need.
Australia will win if:
They are able to counter the Chilean attacks with long balls up to their wings. This game figures to play predominantly in the Australian half but they can afford to leave their speedy wings higher up the field as a countering threat. Chile also employ just 3 central defenders so they can be exposed on the edges where there is so much space available. Attack the wings as furiously and as often as they can and Australia could have a shot at the upset.
Prediction
Dangerous Chilean offence against a team that looks anemic in the goals department. Australia not nearly the talent required in either end of the field to keep up with this fast-moving Chile side. This one might get ugly.
Chile 3-0 Australia.
Dangerous Chilean offence against a team that looks anemic in the goals department. Australia not nearly the talent required in either end of the field to keep up with this fast-moving Chile side. This one might get ugly.
Chile 3-0 Australia.
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