Infos :

Let winger and attacking midfielder, later reconverted in fullback position, very enduring, fast, goalscorer, with a good dribble and a capacity of crosses, Hector PUEBLA played the last preparation matches and was in competition with Miguel-Angel GAMBOA, behind the holder Gustavo MOSCOSO. He contracted a form of typhus, just before the World Cup, which prevented him from participating.

Elected best chilean midfielder in 1980,and, by the newspaper "El grafico", as one of the best n ° 8 in Latin America, Victor MERELLO was rejected by SANTIBÁÑEZ who considered: "In this position I have BONVALLET for the marking, or RIVAS when I'm looking for more offensive ". Given the team's results, this may not have been the right option.

Regularly selected in central defense with Mario SOTO, capable of playing also as defensive midfielder, Santiago GATICA was ultimately not retained in favor of Óscar ROJAS, when he could have been a good alternative in central defense.

Just before the World Cup, the magazine "Total Sport" conducted a survey of sports journalists on the ideal Chile's team. Luis HORMÁZABAL was retained in the left fullback position, alongside OSBÉN as goalkeeper, GARRIDO, VALENZUELA AND FIGUEROA in defence, M. ROJAS, DUBÓ and NEIRA in midfield, YÁÑEZ, CASZELY and GAMBOA in attack. He was finally not retained for the benefit of Enzo ESCOBAR.

"EL Loco" Manuel ARAYA DÍAZ was summoned by SANTIBANEZ in the national team, but resigned very quickly, refusing to cut his hair and stop his "crazy things" like climbing on the crossbar during a match to watch the game. He still remained a good goalkeeper, useful by his experience

All sets have been checked and updated with the informations from these sources

https://www.partidosdelaroja.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC24C-3 ... 45A2g9OXvQ