Spain and France Promise Improvement Ahead of Last 16 Clash
June 27, 2006
Despite a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia which preserved their 100-percent record in Group H, it was a sluggish display by a much-changed Spanish team.
"We would have liked to score more goals, but maybe we were just lacking the killer touch because we knew we were already qualified," admitted Aragones. "I believe we will get back to our best, as we were against Ukraine and then in the second half against Tunisia. That's the kind of image we want to show."
France coach Raymond Domenech recognised that Spain are on a high and will be tough to beat in their second round clash in Hanover on Tuesday. "I would have preferred to have passed straight to the quarter-finals," said Domenech whose side ensured qualification only
in their last match, a 2-0 win against Togo.
Spain, who had dominated Ukraine and Tunisia 4-0 and 3-1 respectively in their two previous encounters before Friday, lost their shape in a shaky second half against the Saudis who came close to leveling in the dying minutes.
In the end, Spain held on to defend the 1-0 lead, from the head of Real Betis defender Juanito in the 37th minute, to finish top of the group with nine points.
Spanish coach's tinkering almost backfires
Aragones, who is bidding to take Spain past the quarter-finals for the first time in 56 years, put out a second string side for the Saudi Arabia match. But at half-time, he replaced Raul with Valencia's David Villa, the scorer of two goals in the rout of Ukraine.
Minutes later, he went on to also replace an indecisive Cesc Fabregas with Barcelona midfielder Xavi and Jose Antonio Reyes with Fernando Torres, who has three goals.
Despite apparently having boosted the attack, Spain went mostly downhill, as changes made by Saudi coach Marcos Paqueta had the opposite effect, leading to at least three scoring chances. Against the French, with Thierry Henry getting on the score sheet against Togo, Spain may find that their next opponents will be more clinical when presented with the same opportunities.
France shocked awake by Koreans now face tougher task
France have looked like a shadow of the team that captured soccer's greatest prize on home soil eight years ago and the European Championship in 2000. Sluggish and lacking in creativity against Switzerland, disinterested and caught napping against South Korea, the 1998 champions finally got off to a winning start if the final group game against Togo.
They did, however, have to fight for the win against the African battlers which gave coach Domenech at least some cause for optimism ahead of the game with Spain with Patrick Vieira singled out as one of France's most influential players.
"I don't like singling out players but in Patrick's case I'll make an exception," said Domenech. "I said at the beginning of the World Cup that he would be the linchpin of this competition. I'm sorry if I was right yet again. I know Pat, I see his preparation, his motivation and I know when Patrick's motivated he'll be one of the great players of this World Cup."
France and Domenech will hope the Vieira keeps his motivation up against France and infects some of his more lethargic team-mates with his enthusiasm.