Vidal wants World Cup win with Chile

Updated: 2013-09-05 04:58:00

(Xinhua)

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SANTIAGO, September 4 (Xinhua) -- Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal, who plays for Italy's Juventus, said Wednesday he hopes his winning streak will lead to a win for Chile's national team at the 2014 Brazil World Cup qualifier.

On Friday, Vidal will form part of the national team lineup that will face off against Venezuela in the South American Qualifying Tournament.

"I have matured in several aspects that in the past were difficult for me and forced me many mistakes, especially in my behavior on the field," Vidal told local media.

Despite doing well in the Italian league, Vidal has not been able to replicate that performance when playing for his national team.

Vidal said he would have preferred "to have matured a little earlier, or to have been with Juventus earlier and grown earlier as a player, since it was very important to project the current level (of play) for the national team."

While Vidal currently serves as one of the leading players for Juventus, he doesn't feel like a leader in his national team, still he is working towards achieving his childhood dreams, he said.

As a kid "I had many dreams, and very big ones .... I believe at this moment I continue to fulfill them, but one step at a time."

The former player of Germany's Bayer Leverkusen and Chilean club Colo Colo, said he has high expectations for the coming games.

"I want to be world champion. That's something that has not changed," he said.

Vidal said becoming champion has been a dream of his since " the U-20 World Cup and we were very close to winning it. Today, all we can do is try to ensure we qualify (for the World Cup) and then try to advance as far as we can."

Chile's match against Venezuela is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. local time Friday (0030 GMT Saturday) at Santiago's National Stadium.

On Tuesday, September 10, Chile plays Spain in a friendly match in Switzerland.