Everton de Vina del Mar will be looking to take a big step towards the Copa Chile final later today when they play Coquimbo Unido in the first-leg of the semi-final.
‘The Ruleteros’ last reached the Copa Chile final in 2016 and have only ever won it once in their history – coincidentally in 1984 when Howard Kendall’s Everton replicated the achievement in the FA Cup.
Ahead of the first-leg at their Estadio Sausalito, we spoke exclusively to Everton de Vina del Mar assistant manager, Antonio Martinez.
Before we speak about the semi-final, how has your season been so far?
It has been pretty good when compared to previous years and we are getting to a point where we can, I think, achieve great things. It’s very important for us to get Everton among the top teams here in Chile and our group is very solid.
The stand-out performer for us has been our goalkeeper Franco Torgnascioli, who has created a record here for the number of minutes without conceding a goal. Sebastian Pereira is also having a great season, not only demonstrating solid defensive performances, but he also has also contributed some goals. They are very important for us to get a top position.
You play Coquimbo this evening in the first-leg of the semi-final, at you own Estadio Sausalito. How much are you looking forward to it?
It’s important to win the first match because it will give us an advantage. Most of all it is important to win because we are at home in front of our fans. It will be just our second game with our fans inside the stadium and they give us confidence. They are, for us, a twelfth player!
Coquimbo are not a top division team, they play in Primera B, but they will still be a tough opponent…
Oh yes, because every opponent is difficult. We do not see them as a small rival just because they are not in the top division. They have a good team led by Hector Tapia who is someone I know very well because he coached our team in 2016. He took us to promotion to the top division.
What would reaching the final mean to everyone at Everton de Vina del Mar?
It would mean a lot for us. We haven’t won the Copa Chile since 1984 and if we get into the final, we will accomplish qualification for an international tournament next year. If you win or lose the Copa Chile final you get a ticket to compete in the Copa Libertadores or Copa Sudamericana, which are our Champions League and Europa League.
The other semi-final is between Colo-Colo and Union Espanola – you would doubtless rather play Espanola if you reach the final?
Yes, we are cheering for them! And for me it would a personal thing to play against Espanola because my grandfather, who was the President of Everton de Vina del Mar, won the Copa Chile with Espanola. And if we play Colo-Colo it will remind me of 2008 when we beat then to win the Primera Division title.
What has your manager Roberto Sensini brought to the team since he arrived last year?
Roberto is very important for us. He has experience of playing for the best team in the world (Argentina) and as a coach he has demonstrated great leadership. The team has been playing very well and Roberto gives them a lot of confidence.
Do Chilean football supporters have much interest in our Premier League?
There is a lot of interest! Especially now that we have Francisco Sierralta playing at Watford. In our history, there have been many Chilean players in your Premier League, the most famous of which is Alexis Sanchez. And we had Manuel Pellegrini coaching that great Manchester City team.
Is it good for you to know that Evertonians all over the world are following Everton de Vina del Mar and wishing you well ahead of your semi-final?
Absolutely! We are very happy to know that they are following us and we appreciate their support. We hope one day to repeat that wonderful experience of being at Goodison Park and being close to the Everton family. We love the Everton people and we hope it will be a good English Premier League season for you.
Everton de Vina del Mar v Coquimbo Unido, Copa Chile semi-final, first-leg, Wednesday (Kick-off 00:30, BST)
