Chile beats New Zealand 2-0 in training match

Published Jun. 9, 2010 5:03 p.m. EDT

foxsports

Gonzalo Fierro and Esteban Paredes each scored, helping Chile beat New Zealand 2-0 in a training match Wednesday.

Fierro put in a shot at the near post in the 67th minute, with Paredes scoring three minutes later.

Both teams made wholesale changes during the three 30-minute periods of the match held in Ka Nyamazane, a small town near Nelspruit.

Chile striker Humberto Suazo was still missing for Chile with an injury to his left thigh that could sideline him for parts of the World Cup. New Zealand captain Ryan Nelsen stayed in Johannesburg because of a minor ear infection, but should be fit for the start of the tournament.

Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa said Suazo was continuing his rehabilitation before he returns to training and is expected to play in Chile's opener against Honduras.

``If he keeps progressing as he is at the moment, he should be available next Wednesday,'' Bielsa said.

Neither team exerted itself during the match, but Fierro eventually broke the scoreless tie when he beat New Zealand substitute goalkeeper James Bannatyne. Paredes got his goal by racing in front of Ivan Vicelic before stroking the ball low past Bannatyne.

New Zealand's best chance came when Tommy Smith failed to score from close range in the dying minutes of the match.

Chile starts its World Cup campaign against Honduras in Nelspruit, while New Zealand kicks off against Slovakia in Rustenburg on June 15.

Chile plays in Group H with Honduras, Spain and Switzerland. New Zealand is in Group F with Italy, Slovakia and Paraguay.