Chile's forward Alexis Sanchez (L) scores past Australia's goalkeeper Mathew Ryan during a Group B football match between Chile and Australia at the Pantanal Arena in Cuiaba during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. PHOTO: AFP
Alexis Sanchez helped Chile pile the pressure on world champions Spain after a 3-1 win over Australia in their World Cup opener in Cuiaba saw them join the Netherlands on top of Group B.
Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli was optimistic of his squad’s chances of progressing as he praised Sanchez’s match-winning contribution, and conceded that with Spain looming his side would need to build on this performance.
“Alexis is our star performer, I’m glad to know he can deliver,” he said.
“There were positives for us here but Spain have a superlative history, and we will definitely have to be able to perform better than we did today when we play them.”
Meanwhile, Australia coach Ange Postecoglou was left ruing his side’s poor start.
“I’m very disappointed, I thought we could get something out of this game,” said Postecoglou.
“But Chile began strongly, their two goals made life difficult. For much of the second half we were on top.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 15th, 2014.
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