Beausejour: Spain loss not important - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Beausejour: Spain loss not important

18/06/2010 09:18:11 AM Comments (0)

Switzerland's surprise victory over Spain at the World Cup won't affect Chile's preparations for the rest of the Group H games, according to Chilean midfielder Jean Beausejour.

Beausejour scored the winning goal in Chile's 1-0 victory against Honduras on Wednesday, but the Swiss result complicated a group in which Spain was expected to dominate.

Chile's match against Switzerland on Monday in Port Elizabeth has now taken on added significance. A win for either team would all but guarantee qualification, while a loss could lead to an early trip home.

"Honduras gave us the responsibility of trying to win the game, we were the ones looking to get a result," Beausejour said Thursday. "Against Switzerland, that's going to change a bit. They've got a potent counterattack and I think it's going to be a very even game."

The only disappointing aspect to Chile's opening victory was the inability to score more goals from the chances created.

The best opportunity to double the lead fell to defender Waldo Ponce, whose diving header from close range produced one of the saves of the tournament so far from goalkeeper Noel Valladares.

"I've had the chance to see the replay," Ponce said. "The first thing I thought was to head the ball, but now I'm thinking I should have done something different.

"It was a typical first game. The anxiety for some players - including me - is always there, even after starting the game. Now we've got that out of the way. We have to go on and try to give the best of ourselves and get the points we need to qualify for the next round."

Chile's encouraging performance has led some people to mark the team down as outside bets for the tournament.

"I think it's very early to be talking about such things," Beausejour said. "At the end, we will be able to evaluate whether Chile had a successful World Cup."

Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa left his main striker Humberto Suazo on the bench against Honduras. Suazo has recovered after injuring his left thigh injury in a pre-World Cup friendly against Israel, but a lack of match fitness meant he was not risked.

Chile switched training from 1.30 pm to 4pm. on Thursday to match the time the game against Switzerland will be played.

Suazo trained with the rest of the squad members who were not involved against Honduras. The players took part in some running and stretching before working with the ball.

Forward Jorge Valdivia and midfielder Carlos Carmona both trained in the gym due to injury. Valdivia received a dead leg in his right thigh against Honduras, while Carmona has a problem with his right ankle.

Neither injury is considered serious.

After the Switzerland match, Chile faces Spain on June 25 in Pretoria in its final group game.

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