Soccer: Bielsa avoids surprises in Chile World Cup squad

Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa named few surprises in his 30-man provisional squad for the World Cup announced Tuesday.

The list included most of the players that featured in the most successful qualifying campaign in Chile's history, which saw it finish second behind Brazil in the South American region.

Goalkeeper Luis Marin, of Chilean club Union Espanola, was the most unexpected name. Marin was picked at the expense of young prospect Christopher Toselli, after being overlooked by Bielsa for all of the qualifying matches.

Another player to win a first call-up under Bielsa was forward Jaime Valdes of Italy's Atalanta, while Charles Aranguiz, a midfielder with Chilean club Colo Colo, also earned a place despite being out with injury for the last few weeks.

Chile's main attacker come from Real Zaragoza's Humberto Suazo, who was the top scorer in South American qualifying.

The list of players will be reduced to 23 by the June 1 FIFA deadline.

Chile's squad:

Goalkeepers: Claudio Bravo (Real Sociedad), Miguel Pinto (Universidad de Chile), Luis Marin (Union Espanola).

Defenders: Waldo Ponce (Universidad Catolica), Gonzalo Jara (West Bromwich Albion), Gary Medel (Boca Juniors), Mauricio Isla (Udinese), Arturo Vidal (Bayer Leverkusen), Pablo Contreras (PAOK Salonica), Ismael Fuentes (Universidad Catolica), Roberto Cereceda (Colo Colo).

Midfielders: Marco Estrada (Universidad de Chile), Carlos Carmona (Reggina), Rodrigo Millar (Colo Colo), Jorge Valdivia (Al Ain), Matias Fernandez (Sporting Lisbon), Jean Beausejour (America, Mexico), Pedro Morales (Dynamo Zagreb), Jose Pedro Fuenzalida (Colo Colo), Gonzalo Fierro (Flamengo), Charles Aranguiz (Colo Colo), Manuel Iturra (Universidad de Chile), Rodrigo Tello (Besiktas).

Forwards: Humberto Suazo (Real Zaragoza), Alexis Sanchez (Udinese), Mark Gonzalez (CSKA), Fabian Orellana (Xerez), Hector Mancilla (Toluca), Esteban Paredes (Colo Colo), Jaime Valdes (Atalanta).

- AP