Chile hold Portugal on Borghi debut
Reuters - Saturday 26 March 2011, 23:32
LEIRIA - A goal by Matias
Fernandez earned Chile a 1-1 draw in a friendly against Portugal
on coach Claudio Borghi's debut on Saturday, with the Portuguese
missing the injured Cristiano Ronaldo's spark.
Argentine Borghi took charge last month after his
highly-regarded compatriot Marcelo Bielsa resigned and will
guide Chile at July's Copa America in his home country.
Portugal started strongly, with their wingers looking
dangerous and combining to create the opening goal on 16 minutes
when Nani's corner was headed in by Silvestre Varela.
The Chileans took time to respond and their first real
chance was a 38th minute close-range shot by striker Jean
Beausejour that was blocked by Raul Meireles.
Two minutes later, playmaker Fernandez produced the surprise
equaliser with a powerful free-kick from 30 yards out that gave
keeper Rui Patricio little chance.
Ricardo Quaresma impressed for Portugal after coming off the
bench and crossed for Rolando to head just wide on 76 minutes,
but his side generally looked disjointed and missed their
captain Ronaldo who is sidelined with a hamstring injury.