Trapped miners get to watch Chile's football team on tiny TV... but then they lose

Chilean miners stuck more than 2000ft under ground for more than a month had moments of light release last night - when they were able to watch their national football team.

However, their joy at being connected with events on the outside world was short-lived when Chile lost 2-1 to Ukraine.

Players wore messages of support which were seen by the 33 men who watched the whole friendly match via fibre optic cable.

The miniature projector snaked down a bore hole displayed the game on an underground wall, creating an image 50-inches wide.

A television screen shows the 33 miners trapped in a copper and gold mine, as they watch an international friendly soccer match between Chile and Ukranie

The miners, who were stranded by a collapse on August 5, were seen cheering and singing in footage beamed back up to their relatives who are continuing their vigil at the mine near Copiapo, northern Chile.

It was also reported that Franklin Lobos, a former professional footballer among the group of trapped miners, was able to provide commentary on the game.The entertainment came as medical officials expressed their concern for the men's health due to the cramped and hot conditions they have been forced to live in.

All the men have suffered from skin sores, foot fungi or abrasions, and infections could prove dangerous in the sweltering heat and humidity, with rescue at least six weeks away.

With temperatures never dipping below 30C and humidity at 88 per cent, the men have no way of drying out.

In such an environment, any open wound presents a serious risk, so the miners have been instructed to use extreme caution.

A simple cut from moving rocks could lead to dangerous infections, Chilean Health Minister Jaime Manalich said.

Most at risk are diabetics, who face increased complications from skin infections under the best circumstances.

There is at least one diabetic among the trapped miners, who has been receiving insulin through the narrow bore holes that have become a lifeline for the miners.

The constant exposure to moisture creates the possibility of infections, especially when the men are living and sleeping together in close quarters and can't shower, according to Dr. Boni Elewski, a dermatology professor at the University of Alabama, Birmingham.

The exposed skin on the feet as well as areas where sweat accumulates, such as around the groin, the neck, under the chin or between fat rolls, could foster sores or fungi - commonly known as athlete's foot - that could become infected with bacteria.

Limited hygiene and constant humidity also makes the miners susceptible to an infection and inflammation of hair follicles that causes itchiness.

And then there is gas gangrene, an infection that can start when bacteria commonly found in the soil enters a wound.

This bacteria thrives in low-oxygen environments and rapidly kills tissue, making immediate removal of the affected area or amputation of a limb necessary, said Elewski.

'The longer they are there in this situation, the higher the risk that someone will develop a serious skin problem,' she said.

Two massive mining drills are currently employed in the rescue effort, with estimates for the men's release ranging from October at the earliest to December at the latest.

Support: Chile's players wear t-shirts with a message of solidarity for the trapped men before their friendly match with Ukraine. The message reads 'power to the miners

All watching: Relatives of the miners catch the game on the surface

Entertaining: The miners watched Chile in action against the Ukraine in Kiev, which the home side won 2-1

Rescue effort: A drill is used a part of the rescue effort to reach the miners but it could be December until the men are freed

Friendly: Mounted police captain Hernan Pena gives a ride to a child relative of one of the trapped miners at Camp Hope, the area where relatives are staying