Chile sweat on star striker Suazo

Chile arrived in South Africa on Sunday for the World Cup with Argentine-born coach Marcelo Bielsa sweating on the fitness of striker Humberto Suazo, who is likely to miss the opening two group games through injury.

‘La Roja’ arrived in the eastern city of Nelspruit to prepare for Group H matches against Honduras, Switzerland and Spain.

Suazo, who plays for Real Zaragoza in Spain, is expected to miss the matches against Honduras and the Swiss on June 16 and 21 is a major blow for the South Americans as he top-scored with ten goals in qualifying.

On Tuesday he picked up an injury to his left leg and is expected to be out of action for at least a fortnight.

For striker Mark Gonzalez of Russian side CSKA Moscow the finals are a return to old pastures as the one-time Liverpool player was actually born in the South African city of Durban, where his father once played football.

An aunt remains in the city where she sells tasty Chilean specialities.