Chillán and Antofagasta are excited about advancing to the second phase of the National – La Discusión 2024-02-24 09:24:41

“It was a close match, against a fierce rival, but we won and a step was taken. Now comes Arica, all the rivals are complicated, then Antofagasta, but always go step by step,” reflects Frank Hess, technical director of the Chillán U-17 National Team, who is excited about advancing to the second phase of the National Youth Soccer Championship. Amateur Ñuble 2024, after beating its counterpart from Chañaral 2-1 in the debut.

“The team is strong, but we must continue working and get stronger to reach the final, but we are going step by step,” reinforced Chillán defender, Ignacio Leal.

The Chillanejos will play today, at 7:00 p.m., at the ANFA Chillán stadium, against Arica, who at the close of this edition, for the second day of the Ase group, was playing against Antofagasta, another of the candidates to lead the group in the first phase.

The Antofagasta team beat Coyhaique 7-0 and this Thursday, at 9:00 p.m., they will clash with Chañaral, who wants to recover after the bitter debut against the local team.

The Second Region team emerged as a candidate for the title and to win group A.

“We are a team that has been working for a long time and giving a lot of effort, leaving behind families and activities. We hope to continue down this path. I personally prepared separately for this championship and my goal is to be the top scorer in the championship,” stressed Lucas Barraza, scorer of two goals in the win over Aysén and striker for the “puma” team.

Chillán will go out to defeat the tough Arikan team, which at the close of this edition was battling Antofagasta face to face.

“The debut was tight, it was difficult for us, things didn’t work out for me, until the little goal came out. Antofagasta is a good team, but we took a step and moved forward. Arica we will see it on the field, you can see everything there,” confessed forward Josué Sepúlveda, author of one of the two goals against Chañaral.

At the close of this edition, for group D, San Carlos, debuted against Panguipulli and Los Lagos with Iquique. In group C, last night Las Condes and Magallanes and Talcahuano and Graneros played. And for group B, in Coelemu, Coquimbo with Valparaíso and Villarrica with Romeral.