Chile should set sights on World Cup : Jara

Santiago, June 29: After winning the 2016 Centennial Copa America, Chile’s football team should should set their sights on the World Cup 2018 in Russia, said defender Gonzalo Jara.

“I have always said: the most difficult is to keep up the success. It is very difficult. We are celebrating just now and afterwards each one of us will go on holiday or to our clubs,” Xinhua quoted Jara.

“We have to return to Chile and in September we will continue with the (World Cup) qualifiers. Now we have to qualify for the next World Cup in Russia and aim to win it.” Only a few days after their second consecutive Copa America win, the Chilean team relived the best moment in the country’s soccer history.

“Many times it is complicated to play because the teams already know you and know how to mark you, even in the fil, without having to look any further. I think the respect we had with Argenti is reciprocal,” added the defender who plays for Universidad de Chile.

When asked about being labelled the best team in Chile’s history, the president of Chilean soccer, Arturo Salah, was more guarded.

“In order to make these comparisons you have to wait. Time puts everything in its place. Chile winning the Copa America twice in a row is a tremendous achievement and nobody can ignore that,” said the leader. (IANS)