No.6

Chile vs Denmark

This great game was played an categories like a "friendly".
Most people or should i say most Soccer Fans know that "friendlys" never live up to there name.
They are always very intense games that both teams eventhough they dont get points for, still play with all they have.
One rule is the one that changes and its how many substitutes are allowed in the game.
Usually its only 3 but in "friendly games" mostly its 6 that are allowed sometimes more.
Well this game was a serious "look at" game for Chile(which is in 2nd in the CONMEBOL), for the fact that Denmark(which is 1st in UEFA GROUP 1) is playing unbelivable soccer with Hungary, Portugal and Sweden being in there same Group. So you can already imagine the anxiety before and during the game.
Chile also has proven this World Cup Qualifying Tournament that they are the "dark horse" to be worried about.
Defeating Argentina, Paraguay(at the time leader), Bolivia(only team to beat them at home), Colombia, Peru and Venezuela.
But beating a European team specially of that nature would be a real test for Marcelo Bielsa's "ROJA".

Chile's starting team composed of:
Miguel Pinto
Gary Medel
Gonzalo Jara
Arturo Vidal
Mauricio Isla
Carlos Carmona
Rodrigo Tello (Roberto Cereceda, min. 60)
Matías Fernández
Alexis Sánchez
Hector Mancilla (Esteban Paredes, min. 40)
Jean Beausejour

Denmark's starting team composed of:
Andersen (Christiansen, min. 46)
Jakobsen (Kvist, min. 46)
Kjær
Christensen
Jacobsen (Stadsgaard, min. 60)
Christian Poulsen
Jakob Poulsen
Rommedahl
Tomasson (Noerregaard, min. 79)
Jorgensen (Gronkjaer, min. 55)
Bendtner (Schoene, min. 61)

Chile not being able to play with 4 of there regular starters which are Captain Claudio Bravo, Waldo Ponce, Marco Estrada, and Humberto Suazo.
Looked like it might have been a real tough win to come home with, but incredibly Chile dominated the first half with amazing individual plays from "El Nino Maravilla" Alexis Sanchez and also his buddy Mauricio Isla helping him out through the right band(both play for Udinese).
It looked like Chile would end the half atleast with a 4 to 1 lead but the match is always tough and ended 0-0 at half time.
Chile finished the half with 8 shots on target with Denmark's 2 shots.
Chile also finished with 74% control of the game , to a Denmark's 26% it was ridiculous.
Alot of thinking Denmark's coach had to do to improve that percentage for the second half.
Meanwhile, Bielsa had to think of a way to complete those 8 almost goles they had in the first half.
Second half started almost the same with Chile dominating most of the field, Denmark changed a few of there players around including the Goalie.
Chile stayed with there only sub from the first half Esteban Paredes that came in for injured Hector Mancilla.
And finally in the 60 min. came the opener by Chile's Esteban Paredes with a superb through ball in between the legs pass from Chile's creator Matias Fernandez which Paredes quickly took out the goalie and put the ball in through the three posts.
Quickly Chile took possesion again of the ball and drove it down to the opponents side of the field and got it taken away and Denmark followed a "contra golpe" and off balanced chileans struggled to get to their side to defend when Denmark's Schone, with a beautiful shot to the right post beat the chilean keeper in the 63 min.
And here we go again with a tie game, its all up for grabs, Chile like most of the game took control again with everyone of there players doing exactly what they where asked to do. Covering there man, there side, attacking,defending.
When substitute Roberto Cereceda(came in for Rodrigo Tello in the 60 min) ran down the field to hit a severe center to a covered Alexis Sanchez that jumped like Michael Jordan in the air and nailed a header into the goal for Chile's second and game winner in the 69 minute.
With a crowd that was surrounded by chilean fanatics everyone celebrated suprisingly since this game was played in Denmark's home.
The game continued and for the most part the same way, Denmark had a couple of chances but couldnt break through Chile's defense and good position on the field.
Chile has another good 3 or 4 more chances to score but didnt capitalize.
The ref gave an extra 3 minutes and Denmark went on top to try and tie but couldnt find a way as he blew the whistle at almost the 94 minute.
Very very important win for Chile, dominating a top team and a team to look at in the World Cup like Denmark.
Chile now having to worry about Venezuela and then 1st team in the CONMEBOL Brazil.
But this win over Denmark should have them thinking very positive and very good about there chances.
Denmark now will have to focus and see what they did wrong against Chile cuz they have Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal(3rd in Denmark's same group) next.

WELL AS YOU CAN IMAGINE I AM VERY HAPPY FOR CHILE AND CHILEAN SOCCER, finally after many years we have a team that we can actually dream with.
And i can only hope we reach our goal of getting into the WORLD CUP and doin a fine job overthere in SOUTH AFRICA.
Which with this team we have now i wouldnt doubt the many suprises they can bring us and the world.

Chile has to play like they have been playing, change nothing. Same scheme, same attacking way we have been and always with attitude and heart. We will get far.
MARK MY WORDS!!

Now ill leave u with a picture of the team that played Denmark.
and also with the best player Chile has right now.





Chilean's in Denmark for the game(there was more)


THE BEST PLAYER ON THE FIELD AND ALSO THE BEST PLAYER FROM CHILE!!