Chile will look to get their FIFA World Cup 2014 campaign off to a positive start when they take on don't-really-know-what-to-expect Australia in a Group B encounter in Cuiaba on Friday.
Where to Watch Live:
The second match of Group B is scheduled for a 6 pm local time (3.30 am IST, 11 pm BST, 6 pm ET) start with live coverage on Sony Six and Sony Six HD in India. the match can also be watch via live streaming online HERE in India. Catch the action in the UK on ITV and BBC with the live streaming option HERE or HERE. US viewers can watch the game on ESPN and ABC while you can also live stream the action HERE. Australia viewers click HERE to watch the game online, while South Africa viewers can catch the match HERE.
Spain and Netherlands are the teams expected to qualify from Group B, but with the two heavyweights meeting earlier on Friday, Chile and Australia will be keen to take advantage of any slip up from either side.
Chile have been quite impressive of late under Jorge Sampaoli, with the coach instilling a high-pressing, quick attacking style which has worked wonders, especially for Alexis Sanchez who has thrived on the international stage of late. Against Australia, Chile are likely to have a lot of the ball, and it will be interesting to see how they break through their opponents' defensive ranks.
"This is really a first final for us against Australia," Sampaoli said. "Our margin for error is small. "We believe Australia will wait for us and counter. I need my players to be nimble and quick to break through strong defences.
"I think their new manager has coached them differently, instead of being physical it'll be a different kind of duel. Australia are a difficult team, they've changed their setup, they come here without pressure.
"Whereas for us we must face nervousness and pressure. Their style can be rather complicated if we have an off day, I think we've got a really tough match ahead. We're hungry, we want to go beyond our present performance level."
Australia, who have never beaten Chile in four previous matches, really have nothing to lose in these three group games, as they are heavily favoured to finish bottom of the pile. Coach Ange Postecoglou, who took over not too long ago from the unpopular Holger Osieck, has put his faith on youth for this World Cup. With this Australia team clearly a one in transition, the players can go into all three games without too much fear of failure.
The reliance for goals, though, will primarily be on one familiar face in Tim Cahill, who is again expected to spearhead Australia's fortunes at the World Cup. "We've got somebody there who's very threatening and Timmy's looked very sharp," Postecoglou said. "But I don't think that's our only avenue for goal
"We're working on a few things and we certainly believe we can be a threat in other areas. But there's no doubt they're going to have to pay attention to Timmy because if he does get half a chance in the box, particularly in the air, he can head it in from any position. So we'll use that."
Team news: Chile: Arturo Vidal, who has been struggling with a knee injury, has been declared fit by Sampaoli, but it remains to be seen with one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the world gets a game from the start or is forced to sit on the bench.
"The physio's done a marvellous job, Vidal's diagnosis is clear, there's a high chance he'll play," Sampaoli said. "His injury was rather complicated. We will now make a decision on whether he starts on the pitch, or on the bench."
Australia: Mark Bresciano is also expected to be fit for the game with the midfielder recently struggling with a back injury. While there will be several players making their first World Cup appearance on Friday, Postecoglou is determined to add as much as experience as possible to the first XI as well, indicating a start for Bresciano.
"He's trained really well and more important he's recovered from training really well. So he's ready to go," the coach said. "I think he's really looking forward to it, he's got that steely look in his eye and he's ready to play. There's no doubt in my mind physically now he's right to go."
Expected lineups: Chile: Bravo; Jara, Medel, Gonzalez; Isla, Vidal, Diaz, Beausejour; Sanchez, Vargas, Fernandez.
Australia: Ryan; Franjic, Spiranovic, McGowan, Davidson; Milligan, Jedinak, Bresciano; Halloran, Cahill, Oar.
Prediction: 2-0 to Chile
