Chile threaten Spain’s dream
The Spaniards must defeat Chile to seal progress and to win the group they must also hope Switzerland cannot overcome Spain’s goal-difference edge after facing Honduras.
“We still need to beat Chile,” said Spanish star David Villa. “There’s a long way to go before we can even think about being world champions, both in terms of time and matches.”
The Swiss loss derailed Spanish supremacy talk and not even a 2-0 victory over Honduras could change that. But a loss to Chile at Loftus Versfeld could send Spain home early.
“We have to prepare for a big pressure match against Chile,” said Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque. “But these players are used to dealing with pressure. For them it’s another match in a very busy season. Chile are active and quite aggressive, they get to the goal quickly and don’t waste much energy.”
Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa is taking nothing for granted despite six points from two matches, the first two Chilean victories at a World Cup since 1962.“I don’t want to think about what could happen today and what we can achieve against Spain,” said Bielsa. “I just hope these six points can act as the basis of our qualification.”
Spanish coach remains worried about his team’s finishing.
“We lacked the finishing touch just as we did against the Swiss. We will suffer if we continue to play like that.”AFP
Published in The Express Tribune, June 25th, 2010.
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