Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Spain8217;s second string players will aim to press their case for a place in the team for the knockout stages when they play Saudi Arabia on Friday. With a place in the last 16 assured and top spot in Group H effectively in their pocket after a 3-1 win over Tunisia, coach Luis Aragones will rest several first-choice players.
It was the substitutes who came to Spain8217;s rescue against Tunisia on Monday, Raul scoring the equaliser and Cesc Fabregas and Joaquin helping tease open the defence. Their performances showed how little there is to choose between the players and a strong performance could be rewarded with a place in the starting lineup.
Leading striker Fernando Torres will be rested, while Raul and David Villa are likely to play 45 minutes each up front. Santiago Canizares will stand in for Iker Casillas in goal and Aragones will also field a new-look back four. Victory against the Saudis would mean Spain qualify with a 100 percent record in the group for the second time in a row and further strengthen their belief that this is their year.
Saudi Arabia coach Marcos Paqueta knows that anything other than an unlikely victory over Spain could spell the end of his short stint in charge of the national team.
The Brazilian was only recruited in December to replace Argentine Gabriel Calderon, who had guided the Sons of the Desert through the qualifying campaign in style.
Match officials:
Referee: Coffi Codjia Benin, Assistant referees: Celestin Ntagungira Rwanda, Aboudou Aderodjou Benin, Fourth Official: Mohamed GuezzazMorocco, Stand-by: Brahim Djezzar Algeria.
Simon Baskett
