体坛英语新闻：Chile aims to qualify for second round in Brazil

SANTIAGO, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Chile's national football team has set its sights on qualifying for the second round of the 2014 Brazil World Cup despite stiff competition from its fellow Group B members, a Chilean sport officer said on Monday.

"Chile is in a complicated group, with the defending champions of the World Cup," Sergio Jadue, president of the National Football Association of Chile (ANFP), told the Chilean daily Tercera in an interview.

"The goal is to advance to the second round and go as far as we can, but I would be content if the team ratifies at the World Cup the great work it has been doing, if Chile makes a good impression with its football," he added.

Chile plays its first match against Australia on June 13 at Cuiaba's Verdao Stadium. Its second game will be on June 18, against the defending champion Spain, at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium, and its third and final game in the group round will be on June 23, against Holland, at the Sao Paulo Arena.

With less than two weeks to go before the start of the big event, on June 12, Jadue spoke optimistically of the lineup.

"We have a great team, very good players and an excellent coaching squad. We can stand up to anybody, that's why we aspire to reach the very top," he said.

The official also confirmed that team coach Jorge Sampaoli will stay on after the World Cup, amid growing speculation about his imminent departure.

"What I can tell you with absolute certainty is that Sampaoli will not be leaving after the World Cup, even if we win. He will be coaching Chile at the (2015) Americas Cup. We have his word and I trust him," said Jadue.

Asked about the 2015 tournament, which Chile will be hosting, Jadue said Chile's objective will be no less than "becoming champions of the Americas Cup. There is no other goal."

Sampaoli, meanwhile, unveiled the definitive 23-man lineup competing at the World Cup.

Not included on the list are Marcos Gonzalez, who plays for Chile's Union Espanola, and Rodrigo Millar, who plays for Mexico's Atlas.

On Sunday, officials confirmed that Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal will compete in Brazil, despite an operation on his right knee.

Here is the full lineup:

Goalkeepers: Claudio Bravo (Real Sociedad, Spain), Johnny Herrera (Universidad de Chile), Cristopher Toselli (Universidad Catolica, Chile)

Defender: Mauricio Isla (Juventus FC, Italy), Miiko Albornoz ( Malmo FF, Sweden), Gonzalo Jara (Nottingham Forest FC, England), Gary Medel (Cardiff City FC, England), Eugenio Mena (Santos FC, Brazil), Jose Rojas (Universidad de Chile)

Midfielders: Charles Aranguiz (Internacional de Porto Alegre, Brazil), Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic, England), Carlos Carmona (Atalanta, Italy), Marcelo Diaz (FC Basilea, Switzerland), Arturo Vidal (Juventus FC, Italy), Jose Pedro Fuenzalida (Colo Colo), Francisco Silva (Osasuna, Spain), Jorge Valdivia (Palmeiras, Brazil), Felipe Gutierrez (FC Twente, Holland)

Forwards: Fabian Orellana (Celta Vigo, Spain), Esteban Paredes (Colo Colo), Mauricio Pinilla (Cagliari, Italy), Alexis Sanchez ( FC Barcelona, Spain), Eduardo Vargas (Valencia CF, Spain).