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Football

Chile coach Olmos still optimistic


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Time may be running out for Chile coach Olmos

SANTIAGO, Chile -- Beleaguered Chile coach Juvenal Olmos has insisted he will not quit, despite failing to lead the side to victory in any of their last seven World Cup qualifiers.

"I'm not resigning," Olmos told reporters.

"I'm not the kind who abandons the boat halfway through the journey," he said, adding that Chile could still qualify for next year's World Cup finals in Germany.

"Curiously, the qualifying results have gone in our favor and we still have chances."

Chile, whose last win was away to Venezuela in June, have slipped to eighth in the ten-nation South American qualifying group on 14 points from 13 games.

The top four teams qualify directly while the fifth plays off against the winners of the Oceania region for another spot.

Uruguay, who are currently fifth, have only two more points than Chile with five games each still to play.

"I can't blame the supporters for being upset and I'm responsible," said Olmos, whose team drew 1-1 at home to Uruguay and lost 2-1 in Paraguay last month.

"On this occasion, the criticisms were more than deserved.

"The next two games (at home to Bolivia and Venezuela) are very favorable for us.

" The other teams have very complicated matches. We mustn't lose any points."


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