(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Rizwan Rehmat / The Peninsula
Kazan, Russia: Two-time Copa America winners Chile have never beaten reigning European champions Portugal but the South American giants are aiming to set the record straight today when the two teams come face to face in the first Confederations Cup semi-final.
Chile have played against Portugal - who won the European Championship last year - thrice but La Roja lost two of the three matches with one draw.
Influential midfielder Marcelo Diaz feels confident ahead of today's match which will be played at Kazan Stadium.
'We are the third South American side to reach the Confederations Cup and now we are in the semi-finals. That makes us proud, Diaz said yesterday.
'We have twice won the Copa America title and it was not easy. Now we crave for more title victories. Now we want to get into the final in Russia. I am sure we can do it, Diaz said.
The 30-year-old said the presence of Chilean fans could lift the morale of the side against Portugal who are captained by Cristiano Ronaldo and coached by Fernando Santos. The two were at the centre of things when Portugal won the European championships last year.
'Chilean fans are very important for the team. They are always noisy but look great in bright red shirts. We want them to come and cheer for the side, Diaz said.
More than 3500 Chilean fans have attended the Confederations Cup matches so far.
Diaz said: 'If we reach the final, I would love to play against Germany. But first our focus is on Portugal. We are not thinking beyond this match.
While Diaz struck a confident note ahead of the semi-final, Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi sounded cautious.
'It doesn't matter who is considered favourites to reach the final. What matters is what kind of players you have and in what form. I have a bunch of fully fit players who are ready for the battle, Pizzi said.
'Of course we are pleased to be in the semi-finals. It was one of our goals to reach the semi-finals. We wanted to advance from the group stage which we did. Now we want to target reaching the final, he added.
'We know that this match will be difficult for both teams. We will try to give everything. Yes, we want to be in the final, he said.
'All of my players have worked really hard. We are lucky that all 23 players are available for tomorrow's match. I would say we have the privilege to have a full unit at our disposal. I hope that the selected players play the same way as before, the coach said.
When asked to comment on the favourites tag for Chile, Pizzi said: 'I have often talked about it: I do not care who is considered the favourite. Chile and Portugal are excellent teams that want to reach the final. Both teams have strengths and opportunities to win.
Pizzi added: 'We build a game based on the players on the pitch. Everyone has to give 100 percent, otherwise the collective football will not work. Cristiano cannot go out and provide the result alone. His performance also depends on his partners.
Portugal will be without Pepe who is serving out a suspension through two yellow cards but Santos' side will have the services of star striker Ronaldo, Joao Moutinho, Andre Gomes and Bernardo Silva.
The European champions are returning to Kazan Arena where they played a 2-2 draw against Mexico last week.
Tomorrow, world champions Germany place Mexico in the second semi-final of the eight-team tournament used as a trial event for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Both matches will kick off at 9.00pm Qatar time.
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