Soccer-Maldonado recalled by Chile for friendlies in Europe

SANTIAGO, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Midfielder Claudio Maldonado, who plays for Flamengo in Brazil, has been recalled to Chile's squad for the first time since March for their November friendlies in Europe.

Chile, who will be going to the 2010 World Cup after a 12-year absence from the finals, meet Germany in Cologne on Nov. 14 and Slovakia in Zilina three days later.

Coach Marcelo Bielsa named a squad of 18 foreign-based players. The Chilean championship is at a key stage with clubs looking to qualify for the title playoffs.

Squad:

Goalkeeper: Claudio Bravo (Real Sociedad)

Defenders: Gary Medel (Boca Juniors), Waldo Ponce (Velez Sarsfield), Gonzalo Jara (West Bromwich Albion), Pablo Contreras (Paok Salonica)

Midfielder: Carlos Carmona (Reggina), Jorge Valdivia (Al Ain), Arturo Vidal (Bayer Leverkusen), Gonzalo Fierro, Claudio Maldonado (both Flamengo), Mauricio Isla (Udinese), Matias Fernandez (Sporting, Portugal), Rodrigo Tello (Besiktas)

Forwards: Alexis Sanchez (Udinese), Humberto Suazo (Monterrey), Jean Beausejour (America, Mexico), Fabian Orellana (Xerez), Hector Mancilla (Toluca).

(Reporting by Claudio Cerda, writing by Rex Gowar; editing by Pritha Sarkar; to query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)