Friendly: Everton 2 (Beckford, Bilyaletdinov) CD Everton 0

THE earthquake which ripped through the Chilean coast in February killed hundreds and left the nation's economy reeling.

Money which had been set aside for infrastructure improvement and public works disappeared, as the Government simply focused on keeping people alive and with a roof over their heads.

One of the many schemes to suffer as a result of the murderous act of nature was a plan to rebuild ageing football stadiums in the country.

Perhaps inconsequential as funeral followed funeral in towns destroyed by the quake, but a blow for the game in Chile nevertheless.

That's why there is genuine excitement gripping the coastal region of Valparaiso, but in particular the city of Vina Del Mar, where followers of ‘the other' Everton are counting down the days until a historic date in late summer.

The friendly at Goodison Park on August 4 will be the first time that a Chilean club has ever visited Britain, and it's a great source of pride for the people of Vina del Mar.

The city's mayor Virginia Reginato will make the trip to Liverpool, and officials from CD Everton have already been here on a fact-finding mission.

Earlier this year, Chilean journalist Juan Pablo Salgado sent a report to members of the Ruleteros Society in Liverpool, who brokered the game after years of patient campaigning.

It says: ‘The earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter Scale that hit Chile, the fifth largest ever recorded in world history, had a massive effect on all spheres of life.

‘Cities were totally destroyed, giant waves washed away small fishing villages and an atmosphere of general panic became the norm for the Chilean people over a period of several days.

‘And football was no exception.

‘To begin with, the championship was suspended for several weeks. Then when the season resumed, it was with a big change. Normally there are two championships in one year, with a summer recess in between. However, due to the disruption caused by the earthquake, the champions will emerge at the end of a single season - a rarity in Latin America in recent years.

‘The earthquake left several grounds badly damaged, among them Everton's Sausalito Stadium in Viña del Mar - the second most used venue of the 1962 World Cup.

‘The Sausalito was so badly damaged that Everton had to play their home matches five miles away in Valparaíso at the home of arch-rivals Wanderers.

‘Owing to the poor condition of the playing surface, Everton found difficulty in playing their usual passing game and their form suffered.

‘It was not until May 2, after a 10-week enforced absence, that Nelson Acosta's team were finally allowed back into their home ground.'

Despite their difficulties, CD Everton went into the mid-season break ahead of the World Cup in sixth place. The league will resume after the South African showpiece ends when Everton will have the opportunity to put a few games under their belt, on July 18 against Audax Italiano and on July 25 against Universidad Catolica, before crossing the Andes, Amazon and Atlantic to make history for "that game" at Goodison Park on Wednesday August 4'.

President of Everton Chile, Antonio Bloise Ramos, has expressed his ‘profound joy that a contest between Everton Chile and Everton Football Club of Liverpool has materialised.

He said: "Our supporters have been eagerly awaiting such a game for a long time now, as, I am told, have yours. The official announcement of the game certainly didn't go unnoticed here in Viña del Mar and the realisation that the game will go ahead has caused widespread excitement across Chile."

Despite the cost of travelling to Liverpool varying between 2,000 and 3,200 dollars per person, interest in watching this momentous match in Everton's history is on the increase. According to Bloise, many more fans may sign up for the trip over the next few weeks.

TV stations in Santiago have shown an interest in televising the game. It looks like Los Ruleteros, founded more than 100 years ago by Anglo-Chilean teenagers inspired by a certain touring side from Walton, are relishing the clash.

They are not turning up just for fun either - insisting they will compete at full throttle to win a game they will treat like a cup final.

The clash will be a pleasant and deserved distraction from the brutal reality of life in an earthquake zone.

Vuvuzela wrote:Only realised that this game is on a Wednesday during the week. Would have headed over to it if it was on the weekend.

I'll be flying into Santiago in January next year and my first port of call will be Vina Del Mar, it's only about an hour away from the capital. I'll be meeting a few of my Liverpool mates as well, some toffees & some shite hawks. I haven't told them that Everton play there. I can't wait to see the look on their face when I hand over the tickets.

MagicMike wrote:http://www.evertonfc.com//news/archive/2010/07/10/halsey-to-ref-chile-game?utm_source=rss_everton&utm_medium=rss_feed&utm_term=Halsey+To+Ref+Chile+Game

Mr_Ben wrote:

MagicMike wrote:http://www.evertonfc.com//news/archive/2010/07/10/halsey-to-ref-chile-game?utm_source=rss_everton&utm_medium=rss_feed&utm_term=Halsey+To+Ref+Chile+Game

nice words by Halsey

Mick-J- wrote:As a gesture of goodwill, the club gave the Chileans the option of what colour kit they would prefer to wear for this match. Suffice to say they've jumped at the chance to wear the "home" kit and everton will be donning the new pink strip.
Nice!!

fatboblatch wrote:similarly when i think of anfield i also think of tits

Toffee Dan wrote:Moyes may 'shuffle the pack' (Official Site)

Everton (from):
Howard, Mucha, Turner,
Hibbert, Baines, Distin, Jagielka, Heitinga, Yobo, Coleman,
Osman, Arteta, Rodwell, Neville, Cahill, Pienaar, Baxter, Gueye,
Yakubu, Silva, Saha, Beckford, Vaughan, Anichebe, Wallace.

- basically that's everyone apart from Marouane and Billy (is he injured?) - also Duffy and Agard

Mr_Ben wrote:

Toffee Dan wrote:Moyes may 'shuffle the pack' (Official Site)

Everton (from):
Howard, Mucha, Turner,
Hibbert, Baines, Distin, Jagielka, Heitinga, Yobo, Coleman,
Osman, Arteta, Rodwell, Neville, Cahill, Pienaar, Baxter, Gueye,
Yakubu, Silva, Saha, Beckford, Vaughan, Anichebe, Wallace.

- basically that's everyone apart from Marouane and Billy (is he injured?) - also Duffy and Agard

Can't see Moyes wanting many of the big guns having an outing.

He's Our Tater Not Yours wrote:Just been down to Goodison and got me an Everton Chile top, been wanting one for years.



Quite looking forward to the game tonight.