Chile are all set to take on Mexico in their second game of the Copa America 2015 at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos on 15 June.
The host nation Chile have a golden opportunity to seal a berth in the quarter final stages of the Copa America 2015 if they manage to overpower Mexico in their second game of Group A. Chile comfortably defeated Ecuador in their first game 2-0. Head coach Jorge Sampaoli is confident that his men in red would repeat a similar performance just like they did against Ecuador.
Arturo Vidal and Eduardo Vargas found the back of the net in the second half against Ecuador to hand over the host witha comfortable victory. However, a draw or a defeat against Mexico would compel the host nation to win their final game of the group stage against Bolivia to qualify for the quarter finals.
Meanwhile, Mexico drew their first game of the Copa America 2015 against Bolivia. They currently have just one point to their name and a win would add to their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages.
Mexico's head coach Miguel Herrera is also confident of his men in green. But he is not taking Chile lightly at all and told his boys the kind of threat Jorge Sampaoli's men possess.
"We will work for what it takes to play Chile. It is a team with skilled players, especially Alexis Sanchez - he is a very dangerous guy. It will be a very difficult match and we will concentrate very hard in order to win the ball and keep it. The important thing is to stay strong," Herrera told reporters ahead of their clash against Chile on Monday.
One of the most experienced players and the captain of the Mexico side Rafael Marquez suffered a hamstring injury during their match against Bolivia and limped off the field during the 64th minute. Marquez will not be available for their upcoming group league matches and will take at least 10 days to recover according to reports.
"After the discomfort suffered during the match against Bolivia, Rafael Marquez underwent medical tests in Santiago on Saturday which showed a grade 1-2 rectus muscle (tear) of the left thigh hamstring. The estimated recovery (time for) this type of injury is seven to 10 days," a statement on the official Mexican Football Federation website read.
"I have hurt my thigh, and I will have to have it assessed in 48 hours to see how it is. I don't want to miss the next game but if I am not 100 per cent I will not play. Now we need to be at our best against Chile, but we believe we can get a result," Marquez said in an interview to the official website of the Copa America 2015.
While there is no news of any injury from the Chile squad, they would be showcasing a full-strength side against the guest nation from CONCACAF, Mexico.
Chilean defender Gary Mendel wil be playing his 72nd game for his nation and is confident that his side can go all the way and win the Copa America 2015 trophy.
"This is the best generation ever in Chile, but we need to win something in order to demonstrate that we are the best generation and give the Chilean people a reason to celebrate.
"Self-criticism is always there for us. Always there are things we could improve. Of course, the game against Ecuador being our first match at home proved difficult for us in that sense. We know how to go forward and win, which is the fundamental thing.
"What identifies us is a high level of pressure. We have already demonstrated this in difficult matches. That's what he know how to do. We don't sit back and wait for our opponents. Our style is to attack with lots of pressure in order to win the ball and inflict the biggest pain possible," Mendel told reporters at a press conference ahead of their encounter against Mexico.
Expected lineups:
Chile: Bravo, Mena, Medel, Rojas, Isla, Pizarro, Aranguiz, Diaz, Sanchez, Vidal, Vargas.
Mexico: Corona, Dominguez, Ayala, Aquino, Flores, Aldrete, Corona, Montes, Jimenez, Montes, Fabian.
Where to watch live:
The match between host nation Chile and Mexico is scheduled for a 8:30 pm local time (5:00 am IST, 12:30 am BST and 7:30 ET) start with live coverage in India on Sony Kix. Live streaming option is on Livsports.
Viewers in UK can switch to Premier Sports. The opening Copa America match can be live streamed on Premier Player.
People in US can watch the match live on beIn Sports and stream the game live on beIn Sports Connect, Fubo TV and TYC Sports.com.
Viewers in Australia can live stream the match on beIn Sports Connect Australia.
Middle East viewers can watch the match live beIn Sports Arabia 1 HD and beIn Sports Arabia 2 HD.
