"The journey is a very long way" says Rueda after defeating Colombia
2019-06-29
After qualifying for the CONMEBOL Copa América Brazil 2019 semi-finals, the coach analyzed the match.
The coach of the national team of Chile, Reinaldo Rueda said at Friday that his team still has a way to go to reach the three-time championship in the CONMEBOL Copa América Brazil 2019, after beating Colombia by penalties.
«The journey is still very long, this is an intermediate goal towards the road we have always said (that we are looking to reach), which is Qatar» said the Colombian coach in a press conference at the end of the match played in Sao Paulo.
Rueda highlighted the «hierarchy» of his players to beat the Tricolor, which he considered «very difficult» and «very structured»
«The most important is the conviction of the work being done (…) and the commitment of the players in the field» he said. «Today the difference was marked by the hierarchy of players».
A goalless draw between Colombia and Chile took place this Friday night at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo.
The ticket to the semi-finals was defined by penalties, where the two-time champion won 5-4 after Colombian defender William Tesillo missed the last shot.
«Many years ago I learned what it means the shot from the twelve steps in that instance» he said. «We finished all the training sessions practicing from the penalty spot»
Rueda said also, that the two goals that were cancelled after using the VAR against Chile are part of the new dynamic of football. «You have to assimilate, it’s already a reality, it’s a fact (…) lucky the team didn’t lose focus because of those situations» he explained.
With the victory, Chile took a further step in revalidating the titles won in the CONMEBOL Copa América in 2015 and 2016. In the event they achieve, it would equal Argentina’s record as the only team to win the tournament three consecutive times (1945, 1946 and 1947).
La Roja’s semi-final opponents will come out of the Uruguay-Peru meeting that will be played on Saturday in Salvador de Bahia.