Chile´s Bielsa lays 2002 ghosts to rest

Chile’s passage to the last 16 at the World Cup, and a clash against Brazil, means that their coach Marcelo Bielsa has laid the ghosts of 2002 to rest.

Bielsa was in charge of his native Argentina when they crashed out in the group phase eight years ago after trailing in behind England and Sweden.

That failure dented his reputation even though he went on to lift the 2004 Olympic crown with the Argentines.

Now, the 54-year-old from Rosario has his redemption on the biggest stage after the Chileans came in second in their group behind European champions Spain.

With Brazil to come, Bielsa, like all Argentines, needs no second bidding when it comes to hoping the five-times champions will not be on their game.

“Historically, they are a team to fear,” says Bielsa, given that the Brazilians put four goals past the Chileans in their previous meetings in 1962 and 1998 to advance.

Bielsa suggests that today’s Dunga-coached squad is no less dangerous than its forebears.

“This latest version retains all the creative footballing aspects of this country (Brazil) – to which they have added aggression and forcefulness.”

But he added that the Chileans, who pushed Brazil all the way in the 18-match regional qualifying programme to reach their first finals since 1998, were determined to pull off a shock and reach the last eight.

“We will do the impossible to ensure that things don’t come to an end too soon for us,” he insisted.

Win, lose or draw, Bielsa is clearly admired in his adopted country as the Chilean Federation have already offered him a new contract as his current one expires after the tournament.