Soccer: Come and see the $100 million man

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Determined to give his senior players the chance of playing alongside the younger brigade, Chilean soccer coach Nelson Acosta will start his three over-age players, including ace striker Ivan Zamorano, against the Football Kingz at Ericsson Stadium tonight.

It will be the first time Zamorano, goalkeeper Nelson Tapia and defender Pedro Reyes will line up with the under-23 players who won their country's place in the Sydney Olympics.

Tonight's game will be their only opportunity to play together before they meet Morocco in their first Olympic game, in Melbourne next Thursday.

Acosta said yesterday that the game against the Kingz would play a part in Olympic team selection.

Zamorano, obviously tired after the flight from Santiago, said through an interpreter that he regarded the Olympics as an important part of his footballing career.

"I am 33 and this will be my only chance to play at an Olympics.

"I put the chance to play at the Olympics up there with the World Cup," said Zamorano, who these days is rated a $100 million player on the world transfer market.

"I am looking forward to playing against Wynton Rufer. He is a very good player.

"I hope people come to watch the game, although I understand that New Zealand is a rugby country and Jonah Lomu is a superstar.

"But soccer is a worldwide game."

In their last match before leaving for the Olympics, Chile, without their over-age players, beat Columbia 2-0.

In recent World Cup qualifiers, Chile beat Brazil 3-0 (including a goal from Zamorano) and lost 0-1 to Columbia. Seven of the national team players involved in those World Cup games are in this Olympic squad.

Tonight's game promises to be a real test for the Kingz.

In a practice match against a Federation One team on Wednesday night, the Kingz lost 2-4, but they at least took heart in that Rufer and Aaran Lines got through the game and will be ready to play tonight.

The Chileans carry a total transfer tag of around $500 million.

Kick-off is at 7.30 pm.

Football Kingz: Julio Cuello, Gerard Davis, Levent Osman, Lee Jones, Jonathan Perry, Harry Ngata, Ivan Vicelich, Aaran Lines, Andy Bluhm, Aaron Silva (captain), Paul Urlovic.

Chile (from): Nelson Tapia, Christian Alvarez, Claudio Maldonado, David Henriquez, Pablo Contreras, Pedro Reyes, Sebastian Gonzalez, David Pizarro, Ivan Zamorano, Francisco Arrue, Reinaldo Navia, Javier di Fregorio, Rodrigo Tello, Mauricio Rojas, Patricio Ormazabal, Hector Tapia, Rafael Olarra, Rodrigo Nunez, Manual Ibarra, Johnny Herrera.