Chile set up semi-final clash with Cameroon

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Melbourne: Chile, surprise semi-finalist in the Olympic soccer tournament, sent out a warning to opponents who might underestimate the goal-blitzing South Americans.

Chile blew away defending gold medallists Nigeria in Saturday's quarter-final, scoring two goals in two minutes in the first half on the way to a comprehensive 4-1 win.

"I think they went in overconfident and they underestimated Chile according to comments that were coming out from the Nigerian camp before the game," Chile coach Nelson Acosta said. "I think Chile started winning from the dressing room."

The victory sets up a semi-final on Tuesday against Cameroon who scored a major upset by beating South American favourite Brazil with a golden goal in extra time.

Though Chile top the Olympic competition with 11 goals scored in four matches, Acosta said his players did not consider they had inherited the mantle of the ones to beat for gold despite the demise of hotly fancied Brazil and Italy in Saturday's quarter-finals.

"We don't see ourselves as the favourites. We just want to be remembered as good players that performed well in the competition," Acosta said.

Chile were bolstered by the return of high-profile star Ivan Zamorano after a calf injury, while Rodrigo Tello - brought back into the team after recovering from a muscular problem - set up two goals and scored one himself.

Nigeria were without captain Celestine Babayaro and Azubuike Oliseh, both suspended after receiving red cards. Nigerian coach Jo Bonfrere said Nigeria had set their sights on the semi-finals after their early success in the competition, but on Saturday the team had started nervously and lost confidence as their passes were intercepted.

"Every attack from Chile was dangerous. Our defence did not know what to do in the first half," he said. "Our whole team did not play well."

Nigeria's coaching panel had earlier conceded that the Nigerians were not up to the class of the 1996 Atlanta team which delivered African soccer its first Olympic champion.

On Tuesday Chile return for their fourth game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where they have thrived on the wildly enthusiastic support of thousands of cheering, singing fans, who move on to celebrate outside the team's hotel after each victory.

"It is fundamental for us. It is like feeling at home and as long as we keep winning everything is fine," Acosta said.



(c) Reuters Limited.