SANTIAGO, Sep. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chile's hopes of participating in next year's World Cup do not depend on Tuesday's qualifier against Bolivia, Roja coach Juan Antonio Pizzi said on Monday.
The reigning Copa America champions suffered an unexpected setback on Thursday when they lost 3-0 at home to Paraguay, leaving them clinging to fourth spot - the final direct qualifying place in the 10-team CONMEBOL standings.
On Tuesday, Pizzi's men will face one of the most daunting tasks in South American football: a clash in the rarefied air of La Paz, almost 4,000m above sea level.
"Defeats add to the pressure, but the fact there are only three [qualifying] matches left means that all of the remaining [CONMEBOL] games will involve a great deal of pressure and tension," Pizzi said.
"The players have a great capacity to settle quickly. Whether that be from euphoria to normality or sadness to normality. After the game against Paraguay we were immediately able to start focusing on the next match."
While the top four teams at the end of the CONMEBOL tournament will advance directly to the World Cup in Russia, the fifth-ranked side will play an intercontinental playoff.
"It's difficult to play against Bolivia, but we are ready for the challenge. Our objective is getting three points, but there will still be six points to win after that," Pizzi said.
"Even if we lose, the six points that follow will be important. This match isn't going to decide one way or another if we are going to participate in the World Cup."
"In Bolivia we can make up for what happened on Thursday. We want to use this match to get back to the way we know we can play."
