- Title: Chile attempts Guinness World Record for 120-hour soccer match
- Date: 18th May 2016
- Summary: SANTIAGO, CHILE (MAY 17, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ENTRANCE OF SOCCER TEAMS COMPOSED OF PROFESSIONALS AND EVERYDAY PEOPLE TEAMS POSING FOR CAMERAS VARIOUS OF TEAMS PREPARING TO TRY AND BREAK RECORD FOR LONGEST SOCCER MATCH
- Embargoed: 2nd June 2016 03:57
- Keywords: Guinness record Bicentenary Santiago
- Location: SANTIAGO, CHILE
- City: SANTIAGO, CHILE
- Country: Chile
- Topics: Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA0014I75MJD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Guinness World Record authorities have travelled to Chile where on Tuesday (May 17) the country began its attempt at taking the title for the world's longest soccer match.
Soccer fanatics will take over the Bicentenary Stadium de la Florida in Santiago over five days, where soccer fanatics hope to play a solid 120 hours.
The effort includes a combination of professional and amateur players. The total number of expected participants is around 3,000, according to media reports.
"To me it's a beautiful challenge. It's crazy, but let's hope this insanity can be accomplished. It's many hours, over many days, evidently, but for the regular players, there is plenty of motivation to come out to be able to share in this with professional players," said Cristopher Toselli, the goalie for the national soccer team.
Playing two halves of 60 minutes, with each player on the pitch for at least an hour, Chile hopes to beat the 2015 record currently held by Scotland for a 105-hour match.
The non-professionals were mindful of their unique opportunity.
"It's a really great experience, in all truth. It's extremely enriching, for me at least, as I practically don't play sports. It's a unique experience, valuable, and I would like if it if there were more initiatives like this one," said Chilean engineer and participant, Alvaro Valenzuela.
A total of 3,800 free places were offered for online inscription for men and women over the age of 16.
The record is pegged to wrap up by Sunday (May 22). - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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