Chile striker Marcelo Salas, joint leading goal-scorer at the World Cup finals, is back in business and set to line out against Austria today. Salas suffered a thigh strain at the weekend and missed training but, after doing some light solo work, is recovering well and will probably line up alongside Ivan Zamorano.
Chile impressed with an attractive attacking display in their 2-2 draw with Italy last week, Salas scoring twice and sending out an early warning to the rest of Group B.
The Austrians, on the other hand, were heading for defeat against Cameroon until Toni Polster equalised in the dying seconds. Polster, who will win an Austrian record-equalling 93rd cap against Chile, accepts his side will be the underdogs.
"They're definitely the favourites after their performance against Italy but we'll put on a good show and look for our chances," he said.
The Austrians have no injury worries, with Wolfgang Feiersinger having recovered from a calf strain.
Chile coach Nelson Acosta's game plan will be as against Italy. "We play with two forwards who press on their opponents," he said. "We worked to find a new way of playing as we prepared for the World Cup and we've achieved it."
Acosta felt Austria had played far better against Cameroon than in the warm-up matches he studied on video.
"Against Cameroon they played very differently," he said. Austrian coach Herbert Prohaska said he was impressed by the way Chile applied pressure against the Italians, particularly in the first half but said his side will try to cut off the supply route to the dangerous front-men.
Prohaska's toughest decision is whether to stick with Polster as the only out-and-out striker or give him a partner in the form of one of the Sturm Graz forwards Ivica Vastic or Mario Haas.
Probable Teams Austria: Konsel; Feiersinger; Schoettel, Pfeffer; Cerny, Kuehbauer, Maehlich, Pfeifenberger, Wetl; Herzog; Polster.
Chile: Tapia; Fuentes; Villarroel, Margas, Reyes, Rojas; Acuna, Parraguez, Estay; Zamorano, Salas.
Key Player
Ivan Zamorano. Age: 31. Caps: 39. Goals: 24. Club: Internazionale.
Strengths: He may have been overshadowed since the scramble amongst top European clubs for the signature of Marcelo Salas, but Zamorano more than holds his own in what is an equal billing in the striking partnership for Chile.
A fierce competitor, the former Real Madrid player is strong, a great runner and possesses a clinical eye for goal. Scored 12 times in 10 qualifying games while, at the same time, working selflessly for those around him. That aspect of his game was particularly apparent last week when he repeatedly created space for Salas. Against the Austrians, he may play a more direct role in the proceedings.
Weaknesses: At 31, the edge has, inevitably, started to come off his pace but his greater difficulty over the last couple of sea- sons has been a tendency to pick up injuries, most notably a recurring calf strain.
Given that Salas is only recovering from a thigh problem it will cause coach Nelson Acosta some concern, although, as the two are fit, they are guaranteed to be paired up front.
