Chile will face Honduras in South Africa 2010’s early match on Wednesday. Almost one round through a tournament that’s featured an excess of conservative play, Marcelo Bielsa’s Chilean team will bring a refreshingly bold approach.
Chile Vs. Honduras: Chileans Finish With Lots Of Sound And Fury, But Only One Goal
Call it a pampered complaint in this goal-starved World Cup, but the chief criticism one can level at Chile after their frenetic performance against Honduras is incompletion. Despite getting at least four (and possibly five) chances within sniffing distance of the goal, the single goal popped in by Beausejour would be the only score of the day for the side.
This came despite a second half best described as a dividend-free blowout, with Chile dominating the ball and Honduras providing no challenge whatsoever for Chile’s rampaging but misfiring attack. If Chile hopes to get out of group play, they’ll need to cash in on the missed opportunities, especially when facing sides like Spain (where they’ll need the goals to keep up) and Switzerland (where they’ll need to manufacture goals against a stingy defense.)
Read Article >Chile Vs. Honduras, World Cup 2010: Jean Beausejour Goal Puts Chile Up At Halftime, 1-0
Chile has been as advertised, refreshingly so.
Marcelo Bielsa’s team has attacked throughout the first half against Honduras and take a 1-0 lead into halftime. Winger Jean Beausejour was the goal scorer, finishing from the edge of the six yard box in the 34th minute.
Read Article >World Cup 2010 Chile Vs. Honduras Preview: Thank You, Marcelo Bielsa
Chile’s World Cup 2010 debut should inject some life into a tournament that has seen too many teams conservatively approach their opening matches. Don’t expect the same from Marcelo Bielsa, who has designed his system around pressing advantages while accepting risk. Having endured too many Carlos Queiroz, Gerardo Martino, Bob Bradley-led matches where coaches where unwilling to accept risks in order to exploit their opponents, Bielsa could end up a relative revolutionary in this tournament.
The left side of Honduras’s defense will feel the most stress. Left back Emilio Izaguirre and center half Maynor Figueroa will be tasked with containing Sanchez, with Wilson Palacios always a factor as a destroyer. Another implicit pressure they are, as well as the rest of Honduras’s defense is, under: Noel Valladares is the tournament’s worst goalkeeper. With Valladares in goal, “containing” an opponent carries a much higher standard.
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