Vicente del Bosque has created a formidable football machine that won the European Championship in 2008, the World Cup in 2010 in South Africa and a second European title two years ago. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Spain aim to extend an historic run at the World Cup in Brazil as they target a fourth successive major tournament triumph.
Vicente del Bosque has created a formidable football machine that won the European Championship in 2008, the World Cup in 2010 in South Africa and a second European title two years ago.
Should Spain retain the World Cup, it would be the first time any country has sealed consecutive triumphs since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. However, they start in a tricky Group B against the Netherlands, Chile and Australia.
And there is scepticism as to how long a squad of players that have won almost everything at club as well as international level can dominate.
Those fears were realised when a young and highly-motivated Brazil side destroyed Spain 3-0 in the final of the Confederations Cup last year.
“Brazil are the big favourites for me,” admitted goalkeeper Pepe Reina recently.
In another worry, fatigue remains the biggest worry for the reigning champions. On top of their commitments at international level, the majority of the Spanish squad have been involved in the final stages of European competitions for a number of years without a break.
Barkley in, Carrick out for England
Everton breakthrough star Ross Barkley, 20, was named in a youthful England World Cup squad on Monday, but Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick only made the standby list.
Liverpool’s 19-year-old winger Raheem Sterling and Southampton’s 18-year-old left-back Luke Shaw also made the cut in a squad that contained only six players with previous World Cup experience.
Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole announced his international retirement on Sunday after being informed by Hodgson that he would not be selected, and Shaw took his place.
“One player [Ashley] has 107 caps and one [Shaw] has many caps to come,” said Hodgson at a press conference. “It was a hard job to ring Ashley and I can only be unbelievably grateful for the gracious way he accepted the decision.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 13th, 2014.
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