Chile vs. Australia, 2014 World Cup group stage: Start time, TV schedule and more
Chile will be expecting to pick up all three points in their World Cup opener against Australia.
Chile are one of the World Cup's genuine dark horses, thanks to their sprinkling of star quality and the ruthlessly exciting high-pressing game that coach Jorge Sampaoli has his team playing. However, they've also been given an extremely difficult group draw, in which they'll likely have to top the Netherlands in order to progress with Spain. That means they simply have to pick up three points from their opening game against Australia.
Certainly they are expected to pick up the victory, with the Socceroos arriving at the tournament with expectations as low as ever. New coach Ange Postecoglou arrived with the task of bringing a new generation onto the international stage, and that means they’re not expected to be pulling up trees this time around. However, their youth does make them something of an unknown quantity, and La Roja have already been stung by Australia at a World Cup before.
Chile vs. Australia
Indeed, these sides haven't met since a group game clash in Berlin in 1974, in what was Australia's maiden World Cup. On that occasion a Socceroos team comprised entirely of amateurs managed to hold Chile to a goalless draw, which contributed to both sides heading home before the knockout stages behind East and West Germany. Australia are certainly a lot stronger these days, though Chile still need to be wary of underestimating them a second time.
There are still question marks over the fitness of Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal, who had knee surgery at the end of the domestic season. La Roja will certainly hope to have him available, as along with attacker Alexis Sánchez, he’s a genuinely world-class talent.
Match Date/Time: Friday, 6 p.m. ET
Venue: Arena Pantanal, Cuiabá, Brazil
TV: ESPN2 (U.S. - English), Univision, ESPN Deportes (U.S. - Spanish), CBC (Canada - English), Univision Canada (Canada - Spanish), Mediaset Italia (Canada - Italian), ITV 1 (U.K.), SBS One (Australia)
United States announcers: Daniel Mann, Kasey Keller
Online: WatchESPN (U.S.), ITV Player (U.K.)
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