Monday, November 20th, 2023.- Chile achieved its first victory in Powerchair Football at the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games by defeating Canada 2-1 at the Estadio Bicentenario in La Florida .
The local team, which made several changes to its lineup compared to previous matches, started trailing after an early goal by Silviu Butnaru (4’), the oldest player on the Canadian team (55 years old).
The PC football team from Chile seemed anxious and nervous as they did not want to repeat the defeats suffered against the United States and Venezuela. They sought different ways to equalize the match, coming close through long-range shots from Leonel Guzmán and Sebastián Borquez. However, the first half ended with a narrow lead for the North Americans.
After the break, the Chilean coaching duo of Sonny Riquelme and Sebastián Morales sought to bring more freshness and experience to the team by including Patricio Saavedra and Darwin Díaz. This strategy paid off as Bastián Velásquez scored the equalizer with a precise free-kick at the 40th minute.
Following the draw, Chile pressed hard on the opponent's goal, but with little organization and a lot of anxiety. Crossing balls into the box occurred frequently until Cristián del Pino anticipated the Canadian goalkeeper's exit with a header to score the winning goal at the 53rd minute.
"We needed and deserved this victory. We faced world powers, competed on equal terms, but we couldn't keep losing. This is a reward for the people who have supported us in every match, and it has been crucial," commented Darwin Díaz.
On Tuesday, Chile will rest, but on Wednesday, they face the enormous challenge of playing against Brazil, concluding on Thursday against Argentina.
Powerchair Football is a form of 7-a-side football adapted for people with cerebral palsy. It follows FIFA football rules, with some adaptations related to the minimum conditions of parity required between the two teams.
Written by Marcelo López-Rodrigo Vargas; translated by Paulette Bertín / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport
Ph: Pepe Alvujar / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport
