Acosta quits as Chile coach

SANTIAGO, July 10 (Reuters) Chile's Uruguayan coach Nelson Acosta quit today following his side's poor showing in the Copa America, which culiminated in a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Brazil.

''I'm quitting the team,'' Costa told a news conference hours after the team arrived back in Chile from the tournament in Venezuela.

Chile scraped through to the group stage of the Copa America thanks to a win over Ecuador and a draw with Mexico but were routed by Brazil in the quarter-finals. The squad was also plagued by disciplinary problems.

Acosta first coached the Chilean national side from 1996-2001, which included their appearance at the 1998 World Cup finals.

He returned to the job in 2005, quit again in late 2006 but returned to the post within weeks.

REUTERS SSC RK2314