Chile worn down by cross-country travel

By John F. Molinaro, CBCSports.ca

Spare a thought for poor Chile.

The South Americans won respect and admiration for their entertaining style of attacking play in the first round of the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Not only did Chile post impressive wins over Canada (3-0 in Toronto on July 1) and Congo (3-0 on July 5 in Edmonton), but it also battled to a hard-fought 0-0 draw with Austria on July 8 in Toronto to finish first in Group A.

Forward Nicolas Medina, right, and midfielder Mathias Vidangossy pace the Chilean attack (Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)

And what was Chile's reward for winning the group? A trip back to Edmonton where it plays Portugal on Thursday!

That's four games - and three cross-country trips - in 12 days for those of you who keep score. Most other nations in the tournament played their first-round games in Victoria and Burnaby, B.C., or Ottawa and Montreal - none had to criss-cross the country like Chile.

The travel-weary Chileans, who only arrived in Canada on the eve of their first game following a 15-hour flight from Santiago, were one of the few teams that went undefeated in the first round and the South Americans are now being talked about as one of the favourites.

But coach Jose Sulantay worries that the frequent flyer miles his team has racked up playing in this tournament, not to mention the difference in time (two hours between Toronto and Edmonton) could adversely affect his young players.

"The long distance is a big problem. It's bad timing. The players don't eat regularly and it's been difficult to play well," Sulantay told reporters after the Austria game.

More travel woes lie ahead for the South Americans. If Chile beats Portugal on Thursday, its quarter-final contest is scheduled for - wait for it - Montreal on July 15.

Chile has even more to worry about.

Influential captain Carlos Carmona was forced to leave the Austria game in the 29th minute with a hamstring injury in his right leg. It's the same leg Carmona injured two months ago and the midfielder only recovered following a six-week period.

Carmona is questionable for the Portugal game.

"It's a very serious injury. Very serious," Sulantay said.

It's not all doom and gloom in the Chilean camp, though.

Chile has yet to concede a goal in this competition, thanks in large part to the play of goalkeeper Cristopher Toselli. The 19-year-old shot-stopper has posted three consecutive shutouts, none more impressive than his last effort when he stood on his head to make a handful of outstanding saves to help Chile earn a draw with Austria.

"It was difficult for a goalkeeper to get recognition in the first two games but now in this game [against Austria] he showed that he is one of the best," Sulantay said of Toselli.

The South Americans have also been sensational in attack, relying on the efforts of Arturo Vidal, Nicolas Medina and Alexis Sanchez to score the goals and the graceful Matthias Vidangossy to supply them with scoring chances.

Indeed, Vidangossy has been one of the true revelations of this tournament, turning heads with his mazy dribbling skills, exquisite ball control and creative playmaking ability.

Against Canada, Vidangossy used his dangerous combination of speed and skill to run the Canadian defence ragged. He also caused major problems for Congo and Austria with his sublime play.

"Hopefully we can keep playing well," the midfielder said. "If we keep up this form we are hoping to go on to win the tournament."

Chile's performance thus has left Austrian coach Paul Gludovatz impressed.

"We came up against a strong opponent tonight, and it's possible they'll be world champions when this is over," Gludovatz said.

Sulantay believes Chile still has a lot to prove.

"We look at every opponent as they come, and we know that we have a tough game coming up against Portugal and we will have to be prepared," the coach said. "The trip back to Edmonton is hard on us, but we will make do, and if we don't lose our rhythm and confidence we can win this tournament."