Spain eager to bounce back
Jun 25, 2010
Reigning European champions Spain will need a victory over Chile here on Friday to keep a much-fancied World Cup run on course with mighty Brazil or arch-rival Portugal likely waiting if they do advance.
PRETORIA
Reigning European champions Spain will need a victory over Chile here on Friday to keep a much-fancied World Cup run on course with mighty Brazil or arch-rival Portugal likely waiting if they do advance.
The Spaniards must defeat Chile to seal a spot and to win the group.
Spain are also praying that Switzerland do not overcome their goal-difference after facing Honduras in the other Group H game.
Switzerland delivered a 1-0 shocker over Spain in their Group opener.
“We still need to beat Chile,†Spanish star David Villa said. “There’s a long way to go before we can even think about being world champions, both in terms of time and matches.â€
The two Group H qualifiers are set to face knockout matches against the Group G survivors, Brazil and almost-certainly Portugal.
Either figures to be a tough match, with a large Portuguese population in South Africa set to support their favourites and Brazil’s playmakers alongside Spain as a choice of many to reach the World Cup final.
Argentina coach Diego Maradona summed up the consensus about Spain before the World Cup began, saying, “The way they started off, Spain was coming to pick up the World Cup and we were all playing for second place.â€
The Swiss loss derailed Spanish supremacy talk and not even a 2-0 victory over Honduras, new Barcelona signing Villa netting two goals, could change that.
But a loss to Chile at could send Spain home early.
“We have to prepare for a big pressure match against Chile,†Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque told reporters.
Reigning European champions Spain will need a victory over Chile here on Friday to keep a much-fancied World Cup run on course with mighty Brazil or arch-rival Portugal likely waiting if they do advance.
The Spaniards must defeat Chile to seal a spot and to win the group.
Spain are also praying that Switzerland do not overcome their goal-difference after facing Honduras in the other Group H game.
Switzerland delivered a 1-0 shocker over Spain in their Group opener.
“We still need to beat Chile,†Spanish star David Villa said. “There’s a long way to go before we can even think about being world champions, both in terms of time and matches.â€
The two Group H qualifiers are set to face knockout matches against the Group G survivors, Brazil and almost-certainly Portugal.
Either figures to be a tough match, with a large Portuguese population in South Africa set to support their favourites and Brazil’s playmakers alongside Spain as a choice of many to reach the World Cup final.
Argentina coach Diego Maradona summed up the consensus about Spain before the World Cup began, saying, “The way they started off, Spain was coming to pick up the World Cup and we were all playing for second place.â€
The Swiss loss derailed Spanish supremacy talk and not even a 2-0 victory over Honduras, new Barcelona signing Villa netting two goals, could change that.
But a loss to Chile at could send Spain home early.
“We have to prepare for a big pressure match against Chile,†Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque told reporters.