Spain still counts on misfiring Torres
Source: Agencies |
July 5, 2010, Monday
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SPAIN is still hoping to see the best of out-of-sorts striker Fernando Torres at the World Cup, according to coach Vicente del Bosque.
Torres returned from knee surgery shortly before the tournament in South Africa and turned in another lackluster performance for the European champion in Saturday's 1-0 win over Paraguay before being substituted shortly after halftime.
Strike partner David Villa again overshadowed the Liverpool forward, scoring an 83rd-minute winner to set up a last-four clash against Germany, whom Spain beat 1-0 in the final of Euro 2008 in Vienna, Austria, with a Torres goal. Villa missed that match due to injury.
"He (Torres) is in good shape physically and in his defense you have to say that the team didn't really string together their attacks well," Del Bosque said at a news conference after his side kept alive its hopes of a first World Cup triumph.
"We are satisfied with his work and his attitude and we are hoping for the best from him in our next matches," he added.
While Torres has yet to find the net in any of Spain's games, Villa took his tally to five in five for the tournament and now has 43 goals in 63 appearances, one short of Raul Gonzalez's national scoring record of 44 in 102 matches.
Looking ahead to the match against Germany in Durban on Wednesday, Spain captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas said Joachim Loew's prolific side, which thumped Argentina 4-0 in their quarterfinal after thrashing England 4-1, was the best at the World Cup.
"They proved that against both Argentina and England and I think we have to show them maximum respect," said Casillas, who saved a Paraguay penalty in the second half at Johannesburg's Ellis Park.
"It won't be an easy match and they will be out for revenge after the European Championship," he added. "But we'll stand up to them."
Villa said Germany's style will allow Spain to rediscover its so-far subdued attacking game.
"A rival like Germany works better for us than one like we had in Paraguay," said Villa. "Germany is a great team with an incredible run of results, always a tough opponent and probably the team in best form at this World Cup. But it's a game of 90 minutes between two great teams and anything can happen."
Germany has so far outscored opponents 13-2. "Two of the best teams in the World Cup have to play in the semifinal, so unlucky for one of them," said Torres.
Spain was forced to work harder than expected to beat Paraguay and reach the World Cup last four for the first time since 1950.
It was tough for Paraguay, playing in its first World Cup quarterfinal, on Saturday after it succeeded in nullifying Spain's talented strike-force and created chances of its own.
Before Villa popped up with the winner, the game appeared headed for extra time after both sides had missed from the spot in an extraordinary flurry of activity that woke up the 55,359-strong crowd early in the second period.
First, referee Carlos Batres ruled Spain defender Gerard Pique had hauled down Cardozo in the penalty area. The striker's penalty was saved by Casillas easily.
Moments later at the other end, Spain was awarded a penalty after Villa went down under a challenge from Antolin Alcaraz.
Xabi Alonso netted high to Justo Villar's right, sparking celebrations by Spain, but the referee made him retake the penalty kick after players from both sides encroached.
Alonso struck his next attempt low to Villar's left but this was also saved. In the aftermath, substitute Cesc Fabregas, on for Torres, appeared to be brought down by the keeper but the referee awarded a corner.
Torres returned from knee surgery shortly before the tournament in South Africa and turned in another lackluster performance for the European champion in Saturday's 1-0 win over Paraguay before being substituted shortly after halftime.
Strike partner David Villa again overshadowed the Liverpool forward, scoring an 83rd-minute winner to set up a last-four clash against Germany, whom Spain beat 1-0 in the final of Euro 2008 in Vienna, Austria, with a Torres goal. Villa missed that match due to injury.
"He (Torres) is in good shape physically and in his defense you have to say that the team didn't really string together their attacks well," Del Bosque said at a news conference after his side kept alive its hopes of a first World Cup triumph.
"We are satisfied with his work and his attitude and we are hoping for the best from him in our next matches," he added.
While Torres has yet to find the net in any of Spain's games, Villa took his tally to five in five for the tournament and now has 43 goals in 63 appearances, one short of Raul Gonzalez's national scoring record of 44 in 102 matches.
Looking ahead to the match against Germany in Durban on Wednesday, Spain captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas said Joachim Loew's prolific side, which thumped Argentina 4-0 in their quarterfinal after thrashing England 4-1, was the best at the World Cup.
"They proved that against both Argentina and England and I think we have to show them maximum respect," said Casillas, who saved a Paraguay penalty in the second half at Johannesburg's Ellis Park.
"It won't be an easy match and they will be out for revenge after the European Championship," he added. "But we'll stand up to them."
Villa said Germany's style will allow Spain to rediscover its so-far subdued attacking game.
"A rival like Germany works better for us than one like we had in Paraguay," said Villa. "Germany is a great team with an incredible run of results, always a tough opponent and probably the team in best form at this World Cup. But it's a game of 90 minutes between two great teams and anything can happen."
Germany has so far outscored opponents 13-2. "Two of the best teams in the World Cup have to play in the semifinal, so unlucky for one of them," said Torres.
Spain was forced to work harder than expected to beat Paraguay and reach the World Cup last four for the first time since 1950.
It was tough for Paraguay, playing in its first World Cup quarterfinal, on Saturday after it succeeded in nullifying Spain's talented strike-force and created chances of its own.
Before Villa popped up with the winner, the game appeared headed for extra time after both sides had missed from the spot in an extraordinary flurry of activity that woke up the 55,359-strong crowd early in the second period.
First, referee Carlos Batres ruled Spain defender Gerard Pique had hauled down Cardozo in the penalty area. The striker's penalty was saved by Casillas easily.
Moments later at the other end, Spain was awarded a penalty after Villa went down under a challenge from Antolin Alcaraz.
Xabi Alonso netted high to Justo Villar's right, sparking celebrations by Spain, but the referee made him retake the penalty kick after players from both sides encroached.
Alonso struck his next attempt low to Villar's left but this was also saved. In the aftermath, substitute Cesc Fabregas, on for Torres, appeared to be brought down by the keeper but the referee awarded a corner.
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