Hosts Chile aim to end century of Copa America pain

Brazil's national soccer team players pose for a photograph during their training session in Porto Alegre, Brazil, June 9, 2015. REUTERS/Edison Vara

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Hosts Chile will kick off the 44th edition of the Copa America on Thursday aiming to end one of the longest-running and most embarrassing records in South American football.

In 36 attempts spanning 99 years, Chile have never won the continent’s top competition. They have finished runners-up four times and in third place on a further five occasions.