Euro 2016 qualifiers: Revenge on Spanish minds as Slovakia arrive

Group leaders had defeated La Roja 2-1 in the reverse fixture.

MADRID: European champions Spain can take a big step towards securing the right to defend their title in France next year when Slovakia travel to Oviedo on Saturday defending a hundred per cent record in Group C.

Vicente del Bosque’s men trail the Slovakians by three points in the battle to top the group thanks to their 2-1 defeat in Bratislava in October last year.

However, victory in Asturias and another three points when Spain visit Macedonia in midweek will remove any nagging doubts that the holders could spectacularly miss out on the opportunity to win the tournament for a record third consecutive time.

Spain’s preparations have been overshadowed by David de Gea’s failed move from Manchester United to Real Madrid. De Gea has been included in Del Bosque’s squad despite not playing a minute of competitive action this season as United boss Louis van Gaal claimed the 24-year-old’s concentration had been affected by his proposed move.

That lack of match practice meant the former Atletico Madrid stopper was unlikely to have started in any case with captain Iker Casillas expected to maintain his place despite ending his 25-year association with Real Madrid to join Porto.

Casillas was badly at fault for Slovakia’s two goals in their only competitive defeat since their miserly showing at the World Cup last year.

Yet, it is at the other end of the field Del Bosque’s side have struggled in recent times, scoring just four goals in their last five outings.

In the search for goals, Del Bosque has turned to Diego Costa with the Chelsea striker returning to the squad for the first time in nearly a year despite his less than stellar start to the season at club level.

“I feel I owe a debt to the coach and the teammates that have given a lot for me,” said Costa, who has just one goal in seven internationals for Spain.

Costa is expected to start up front as Juventus striker Alvaro Morata misses out through injury, whilst Paco Alcacer has yet to find the net for Valencia this season.

Wales on the brink of history

Gareth Bale put Wales within touching distance of Euro 2016 and a first major tournament appearance for 58 years as the Real Madrid’s star’s late goal clinched a 1-0 win over Cyprus.

Bale’s bullet header settled a nervous encounter with just eight minutes remaining in Nicosia to keep Wales top of Group B and a victory against Israel on Sunday will guarantee their place in next year’s finals in France.

Wales last qualified for a major tournament at the 1958 World Cup, with legends like Ryan Giggs, Ian Rush and Mark Hughes all denied the chance to showcase their talents on the biggest stage due to their country’s struggles.

But that long and painful spell in the international wilderness could well be consigned to the history books in Cardiff this weekend thanks to Bale’s latest heroics, whose sixth goal of the qualifying campaign extended Wales’ unbeaten run to seven matches. “It was more than tough but we were able to nick a goal that has put us in a great position,” said Bale, the world’s most expensive signing. “We know what we have to do.”

The champagne is on ice for Chris Coleman’s team, who sit three points ahead of second-placed Belgium and five clear of third-placed Israel with three games remaining.

“It was always going to be difficult. The pitch was woeful, it was hot and humid, and the opposition had nothing to lose,” said Coleman. “It wasn’t one of our better performances. But it’s a huge three points. There was a lot of pressure on us and the players handled it magnificently.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th, 2015.

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