Chilean side CD Everton eagerly await namesakes match

Everton's pre-season fixture with Chilean side CD Everton is "huge" in South America, according to the side's commercial director Matias Amenabar.

The teams are set to meet at Goodison Park on 4 August.

Amenabar told BBC Radio Merseyside: "It's huge news and a very important event and there are over 300 people wanting to come over here.

"Right now they are preparing to fly with the team and come to Liverpool. It's a dream that is coming true."

CD Everton are based in the city of Vina del Mar in Chile and was formed in 1909, reputedly by visiting English sailors from Liverpool.

In recent years a group of Everton fans called the Ruleteros Society (based on the club's "roulette players" nickname - because of the number of casinos in Vina del Mar) have worked to forge stronger links between the Toffees and their South American namesakes.

A number of questions have been asked about the quality of opposition David Moyes' side will face when the two teams meet at Goodison Park just before the Premier League season starts.

But Amenabar has confidence the game will be ideal preparation for the Merseyside outfit, as he says they have matching records in their respective countries.

"Both clubs are pretty similar and they both have very similar results in the league," Amenabar continued. "Everton FC are more technical but they have very similar players.

"Maybe one thing that is placed against CD Everton is the physical aspect. They're not so tall as they guys here in England and that could maybe give an advantage to Everton FC."