Spain confident of rebounding from loss
Source: Agencies |
June 21, 2010, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
SPAIN is optimistic that a shock 0-1 defeat by Switzerland in their Group H opener will stun the European champion into action for its second match against Honduras at Ellis Park in Johannesburg today.
"The loss helps to show you that there are no easy matches, that every team at a World Cup will make it hard for you," defender Raul Albiol told a news conference on Saturday.
"The favorites are not winning," he added, in reference to defeats for France and Germany to Mexico and Serbia, respectively, and England's surprise draw with Algeria.
"If you look at past World Cups, we have often seen teams that start off losing go on to win the final."
Coach Vicente del Bosque was criticized by his predecessor Luis Aragones for fielding a cautious 4-5-1 formation against the Swiss.
He may switch to a more ambitious 4-4-2 lineup today, with fit-again Fernando Torres partnering strike partner David Villa up front.
Spain dominated possession against the Swiss but failed to take its chances and suffered only its second defeat in 3-1/2 years following a 0-2 loss to the United States at the Confederations Cup in South Africa last June.
That defeat deprived it of a place in the final against Brazil but if it finishes second in Group H it could play the five-time champion in the last 16.
Del Bosque, who is not known for making sweeping tactical changes, told As newspaper on Saturday if there were alterations to the starting 11 against Honduras they would be minimal.
"We have to reestablish ourselves, gain confidence and believe in what has given us so much success in the past," the 59-year-old said.
Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda expects the wounded Spanish to come out fighting but said if his players work together they can cause another upset that would leave Spain's hopes of winning a first World Cup in tatters.
"These games (the Switzerland defeat) happen, just like they lost to the United States a year ago," said Rueda, whose side lost to Chile 0-1.
"The loss helps to show you that there are no easy matches, that every team at a World Cup will make it hard for you," defender Raul Albiol told a news conference on Saturday.
"The favorites are not winning," he added, in reference to defeats for France and Germany to Mexico and Serbia, respectively, and England's surprise draw with Algeria.
"If you look at past World Cups, we have often seen teams that start off losing go on to win the final."
Coach Vicente del Bosque was criticized by his predecessor Luis Aragones for fielding a cautious 4-5-1 formation against the Swiss.
He may switch to a more ambitious 4-4-2 lineup today, with fit-again Fernando Torres partnering strike partner David Villa up front.
Spain dominated possession against the Swiss but failed to take its chances and suffered only its second defeat in 3-1/2 years following a 0-2 loss to the United States at the Confederations Cup in South Africa last June.
That defeat deprived it of a place in the final against Brazil but if it finishes second in Group H it could play the five-time champion in the last 16.
Del Bosque, who is not known for making sweeping tactical changes, told As newspaper on Saturday if there were alterations to the starting 11 against Honduras they would be minimal.
"We have to reestablish ourselves, gain confidence and believe in what has given us so much success in the past," the 59-year-old said.
Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda expects the wounded Spanish to come out fighting but said if his players work together they can cause another upset that would leave Spain's hopes of winning a first World Cup in tatters.
"These games (the Switzerland defeat) happen, just like they lost to the United States a year ago," said Rueda, whose side lost to Chile 0-1.
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