Chile will give Arturo Vidal until the last minute to
prove his fitness ahead of their FIFA World Cup opener against Australia.
The condition of the Juventus star has dominated Chile's
pre-tournament build-up, with his availability remaining unclear ahead of
Friday's Group B clash at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba.
Vidal underwent minor surgery on a knee complaint at the
end of the club season, and has been struggling with inflammation on the
injury.
Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli will take heart from the 27-year-old's
involvement in training on Wednesday - the first time he was able to do so
since a brief cameo in the 2-0 friendly victory over Northern Ireland last
Thursday.
There was also a question mark over the fitness of
Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez - who has been struggling with a shoulder
problem - but he looks set to be involved, and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo is
hoping Vidal can also participate.
"We count on our style, the group above the
individuals," he said. "But hopefully Arturo Vidal will play."
Chile are set for a ninth appearance at the World Cup
finals, with their best result coming when they finished third on home soil in
1962.
Sampaoli is hoping to improve on Chile's showing in South
Africa four years ago, when they were knocked out by 2014 hosts Brazil in the
round of 16.
And Bravo is convinced that the 2010 tournament will
stand the team in good stead this time around, adding: "The team improved
since the last World Cup until today. That experience helps us a lot."
Australia, meanwhile, are preparing for their fourth
World Cup and are considered rank outsiders in a daunting pool that also
contains the nations who contested the 2010 World Cup final - Spain and the
Netherlands.
Chile will start as strong favourites on Friday, but
Australia midfielder Tim Cahill insists his team have no fear.
"We have to attack," he said.
"We've said time and time again if we are to make an
impact we have to play football, and at the same time hopefully that will get
us chances that will lead to goals.
"I think we've prepared like we would for any other
game. It's important for us, we want to try and get everything ready and
prepare as best we can."
Culled from Soccerway
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