Chile skuad

World-Factbox on Chile

May 21 (Reuters) - Factbox on Chile who are competing in Group H at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa:

Colours: Red shirts, dark blue shorts and white socks.

Nickname: "La Roja" (the Reds)

Previous World Cup appearances: 7: 1930, 1950, 1962, 1966, 1974, 1982, 1998

Best World Cup performance: Third place, 1962

Coach: Marcelo Bielsa

Most capped player: Leonel Sanchez 84

Top goalscorer: Marcelo Salas 37

Talking points:

Who is going to partner Humberto Suazo up front? Recent form would suggest Udinese's Alexis Sanchez should get the nod but Fabian Orellana and Juan Beausejour have both staked their claims for a place in Bielsa's starting line-up. Jorge Valdivia is the best bet to play the creative role behind the strikers but that might mean relegating the mercurial Matias Fernandez to the bench. Gary Medel is certain to start in the heart of the defence but all the other places are up for grabs. Waldo Ponce may partner Medel but PAOK's Pablo Contreras and West Bromwich Albion's Gonzalo Jara are in with good chances.

Player to watch:

Valdivia, known as "El Mago" (The Magician), has the talent and inventiveness to turn any game on its head, as long as he can keep his discipline. At the other end of the pitch, the combative Medel, nicknamed "Pitbull", is emerging as the best Chilean defender of his generation. (Compiled by Gideon Long; Editing by Rex Gowar/Robert Woodward; to query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Second thoughtsChile showed remarkable form in reaching the finals and likes its draw in Group H, but coach Marcelo Bielsa is already looking at his side's real challenge: Round 2
Trainer
Marcelo Bielsa Played
Goalkeeper
1 Claudio Bravo
12 Miguel Pinto
23 Luis Marín
Defender
5 Pablo Contreras
3 Waldo Ponce
2 Ismael Fuentes
18 Gonzalo Jara
4 Mauricio Isla
17 Gary Medel
Midfielder
21 Rodrigo Tello
20 Rodrigo Millar
11 Mark González
19 Gonzalo Fierro
10 Jorge Valdívia
14 Matías Fernández
6 Carlos Carmona
7 Alexis Sánchez
4 Mauricio Isla
17 Gary Medel
22 Esteban Paredes
13 Marco Estrada
Forward
11 Mark González
15 Jean Beausejour
9 Humberto Suazo
7 Alexis Sánchez
22 Esteban Paredes
16 Fabián Orellana


Official Chile Squad - Suazo Makes The List Despite Injury


The 29-year-old Zaragoza forward is understood to have a torn hamstring and although the exact extent of the injury is not yet known, Bielsa is obviously hopeful that Suazo will be available to play some part.

As a result, Colo Colo defender Roberto Cereceda is the final player to drop out of the squad. The 25-year-old was widely tipped as the player to miss out on the final selection.

Chile start their World Cup campaign with the match against Honduras on June 16.
Goalkeepers -
Claudio Bravo Real Sociedad (ESP)
Miguel Pinto Universidad de Chile
Luis Marin Union Espanola
Defenders -
Waldo Ponce Universidad Catolica
Gary Medel Boca Juniors (ARG)
Arturo Vidal Bayer Leverkusen (GER)
Ismael Fuentes Universidad Catolica
Pablo Contreras PAOK (GRE)
Gonzalo Jara West Bromwich Albion (ENG)
Mauricio Isla Udinese (ITA)
Midfielders -
Gonzalo Fierro Flamengo (BRA)
Carlos Carmona Reggina (ITA)
Rodrigo Millar Flamengo (BRA)
Marco Estrada Universidad de Chile
Rodriguez Tello Besiktas (TUR)
Matias Fernandez Sporting (POR)
Jorge Valdivia Al Ain (UAE)
Forwards -
Mark Gonzalez CSKA Moscow (RUS)
Jean Beausejour America (MEX)
Hector Mancilla Toluca (MEX)
Esteban Paredes Colo Colo
Humberto Suazo Zaragoza (ESP)
Fabian Orellana Xerez (ESP)
Alexis Sanchez Udinese (ITA)




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