Nelspruit: Chile's players have been boosted by news that striker Humberto Suazo could be fit to play in the team's opening World Cup match against Honduras.
Suazo was the top scorer in the South American qualifying group but injured his left thigh last week. However, coach Marcelo Bielsa has said he should be available for next Wednesday's opener.
Defender Pablo Contreras said before Thursday's training that "it's superb news, we are really surprised."
Forward Jean Beausejour added that "he was one of the best players in the qualifying games and he's a player that deserves to be here."
Suazo, of Mexican club Monterrey but who played the second half of last season at Spain's Real Zaragoza, continued light training on Thursday at the squad's base at the Ingwenyama resort, near Nelspruit.
Following yesterday's 2-0 victory over New Zealand in a training match, the rest of the squad took part in basic shooting practice, as well as stretching and jogging.
Suazo joined the rest of the squad for a team talk with coach Bielsa during which the players seemed relaxed, enjoying jokes and breaking into a round of applause at one point.
Suazo, wearing only socks, then took part in a light jog around the pitch with his teammates before leaving the training pitch with the team doctor, headed for the gym.
Rodrigo Millar was the only Chile player absent from the training session. Millar was in the gym, according to Chile spokesman Claudio Olmedo.
Comments
0 comment