Mismatch on the cards

When World champions Spain play 138th-ranked Tahiti,the result is a foregone conclusion

Theres one big question hanging over Spains team at the Confederations Cup: how many goals will the World Cup champions score in their upcoming match against tiny Tahiti,the representative for Oceania. African champions Nigeria defeated the South Pacific islanders 6-1 in their opening game,and missed at least half a dozen easy chances.

Spain is expected to make a few changes in Thursdays Group B mismatch,but may stick with many of its regulars. Spanish winger Pedro was put on the spot several times about the number of goals Spain would score,and his reply was diplomatic saying repeatedly: 8221;I dont know,I dont know.

Its difficult to imagine a mismatch much larger than this one.

Its true were the clear favorites, Pedro said politely. But all games are tough and you have to play them as such. For sure,Tahiti will try to make it difficult for us. Its an important game for us,and we have to respect the opponent. You have to play the game instead of saying we are going to win and score such-and-such number of goals.

Spain is ranked No.1 in FIFAs rankings and won the 2010 World Cup and the last two European championships.

Tahiti is No. 138,trapped between Syria and Afghanistan.

Spains 23 players are regulars at big European club teams,and many are starters at Barcelona and Real Madrid,arguably the two most powerful club teams on earth. Tahiti has one professional player. Thats Marama Vahirua,a striker with Greek club Panthrakikos. He is the only Tahitian to ever play professionally outside the island.

Of its 23,nine are unemployed 8211; as is coach Eddie Etaeta. Others have day jobs as delivery boys,truck drivers,physical education teachers and accountants.

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The match will be played at Rios renovated Maracana stadium. It held the final game of the 1950 World Cup with a crowd estimated at between 170,000 and 200,000. The stadium capacity has been reduced to 78,000. For comparison,the population of the South Pacific island is only 180,000. Reporters ask Pedro at least four times about the outcome. He dodged the question each time.

Like I said,you have to give them respect. I dont know if its going to be a lopsided result,or not.

Many are expecting one.

Forlan milestone

Diego Forlan is poised to win his 100th cap as Uruguay,with their backs to the wall after losing their Confederations Cup opener to Spain,face Nigeria on Thursday. We absolutely must win to have the chance of going further in the Cup, Forlan told reporters before the match against the African champions,who crushed tiny Tahiti 6-1 on Monday.

They won the match they had to win,scored lots of goals and even a draw will be better for them than us, said the 34-year-old striker,best player at the 2010 World Cup. Nigeria have good players,many play in Europe,they are physically strong,it wont be at all easy,it will be a hard match, added Forlan,who will also be looking to add to his Uruguay tally of 33 goals.

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Copa America holders Uruguay lost 2-1 to World champions Spain in their Group B opener on Sunday with Forlan coming on as a 69th-minute substitute.

A draw could leave Uruguay needing a big-scoring win in their last match against Tahiti and a Spanish win over Nigeria on Sunday to stand any chance of a place in the semi-finals.