Chile keep calm ahead of late opening game

Nelspruit, South Africa: The Chilean squad is staying focused on its opening World Cup match and controlling any apprehension as other teams start their schedules, goalkeeper Miguel Pinto said Saturday.

Chile is one of the last teams to play its first game in South Africa, taking on Honduras on Wednesday in Group H at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

"We've learnt to control the anxiety," Pinto said. "We know that our first objective is Honduras and that's what we're focused on."

Midfielder Rodrigo Tello said the Honduras match will be when the tournament becomes a reality for Chile.

"When we get on the pitch, that's when the World Cup really starts for us," he said.

Humberto Suazo, who has been troubled by a left thigh injury, trained alongside his teammates at the Ingwenyama resort on Saturday. The Zaragoza striker moved freely, taking part in jogging, stretching exercises, five-meter sprints and some ball work.

Chile's main injury concern now seems to be centered on defensive midfielder Rodrigo Millar, who has minor strains to both calf muscles. Chile officials denied reports he has been ruled out of Wednesday's game.

Following Honduras, Chile faces Switzerland on June 21 in Port Elizabeth and Spain on June 25 in Pretoria.

Chile is favored to qualify from the group along with Spain, and Tello said the squad has high hopes.

"If you come to a World Cup it's because you want to achieve something important," he said. "We are confident in how we are working."

Meanwhile, Pinto became the latest player in South Africa to voice concerns about the World Cup ball.

"It's a very different ball in terms of the movement that it's got," Pinto said. "The goalkeepers will have to be alert at every moment.

"It does make the goalkeeper's job more complicated."