Coach resigns before kick-off

Chile beat Paraguay 3-2 in a friendly on Wednesday in their last match under coach Nelson Acosta who announced his resignation before kick-off. Chile raced into a 3-0 lead in little over an hour in the resort of Vina del Mar as they claimed their sixth...

Chile beat Paraguay 3-2 in a friendly on Wednesday in their last match under coach Nelson Acosta who announced his resignation before kick-off.

Chile raced into a 3-0 lead in little over an hour in the resort of Vina del Mar as they claimed their sixth win in nine friendly outings this year before Paraguay pulled two back.

Both teams were fielding experimental line-ups.

Acosta, coach from 1996 to 2001 and again from 2005, stepped down after the new president of the Chilean federation Harold Mayne-Nicholls refused to back him.

"I believe it's wise, constructive and timely to allow the authorities the necessary space, time and calm to decide who should take over," said Acosta, whose first stint in charge included leading the side to the 1998 World Cup finals.

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