Focused Spain wary of Paraguay threat
Spain will be wary when they face Paraguay of not making the same mistakes as in the past.
Spain will be wary when they face Paraguay today in Johannesburg’s Ellis Park stadium of not making the same mistakes as in the past.
Coming into the tournament, Spain were seen as joint-favourites alongside Brazil but the Iberians stumbled in their opening group match and were beaten 1-0 by Switzerland.
That seemed to focus minds, though, and the Spanish rediscovered their form to move ominously into the last-eight.
Their one concern, if there is one, is that Liverpool forward Fernando Torres has yet to find the net, but coach Vicente Del Bosque brushed aside any criticism of the former Atletico Madrid star.
“Fernando is our centre forward. He has put in a lot of minutes in four matches and will continue to do so and we have absolute confidence in him,” insisted Del Bosque.
But one thing is certain, it will not be getting any easier for Torres to find the net.
Paraguay have conceded only one goal in this competition, in a 1-1 draw with then reigning champions Italy in their opening game.
But they have only scored three times, needing penalties to advance past Japan in their second round clash following a 0-0 stalemate.
However, star forward Roque Santa Cruz, who plays for Manchester City in England, says it is unfair to judge the team’s strikers just on these last four matches.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 3rd, 2010.
Coming into the tournament, Spain were seen as joint-favourites alongside Brazil but the Iberians stumbled in their opening group match and were beaten 1-0 by Switzerland.
That seemed to focus minds, though, and the Spanish rediscovered their form to move ominously into the last-eight.
Their one concern, if there is one, is that Liverpool forward Fernando Torres has yet to find the net, but coach Vicente Del Bosque brushed aside any criticism of the former Atletico Madrid star.
“Fernando is our centre forward. He has put in a lot of minutes in four matches and will continue to do so and we have absolute confidence in him,” insisted Del Bosque.
But one thing is certain, it will not be getting any easier for Torres to find the net.
Paraguay have conceded only one goal in this competition, in a 1-1 draw with then reigning champions Italy in their opening game.
But they have only scored three times, needing penalties to advance past Japan in their second round clash following a 0-0 stalemate.
However, star forward Roque Santa Cruz, who plays for Manchester City in England, says it is unfair to judge the team’s strikers just on these last four matches.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 3rd, 2010.