Spain play it humble
MADRID:
European champions Spain have played down their tag as favourites to win the title for the first time after a history of coming up short.
Vicente Del Bosque’s side, one of the contenders to win the tournament which got underway last night, was upbeat following their 6-0 win over Poland on Tuesday in their final warm-up match.
But his players are keen to cool hyper-confident expectations.
“We must be prudent and I see us more as candidates to win the title rather than favourites,” said Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez.
Spain are in Group H and will face Honduras on June 21 in Johannesburg and Chile four days later in Pretoria.
Spain hold the distinction of being the only side to ever be ranked number one in the Fifa standings without winning a World Cup.
Their best placing remains fourth place in 1950.The country appeared in only two more World Cups until 1978 but have qualified for every tournament since then.
Published in the Express Tribune, June 12th, 2010.
European champions Spain have played down their tag as favourites to win the title for the first time after a history of coming up short.
Vicente Del Bosque’s side, one of the contenders to win the tournament which got underway last night, was upbeat following their 6-0 win over Poland on Tuesday in their final warm-up match.
But his players are keen to cool hyper-confident expectations.
“We must be prudent and I see us more as candidates to win the title rather than favourites,” said Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez.
Spain are in Group H and will face Honduras on June 21 in Johannesburg and Chile four days later in Pretoria.
Spain hold the distinction of being the only side to ever be ranked number one in the Fifa standings without winning a World Cup.
Their best placing remains fourth place in 1950.The country appeared in only two more World Cups until 1978 but have qualified for every tournament since then.
Published in the Express Tribune, June 12th, 2010.