Spain gear up for World Cup campaign opener against Bosnia
www.chinaview.cn 2008-09-05 20:22:27   Print

    MADRID, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- European Champions Spain have geared up for their 2010 World Cup campaign opener at home against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday, although new coach Vicente Del Bosque still has some doubts hanging over his team.

    Del Bosque made few changes to the team, which won the European Championships last June, in his successful debut as Spain coach in a friendly against Denmark on Aug. 20 in Copenhagen.

    However, injuries to striker Fernando Torres and attacking midfielder David Silva mean that he will be forced to make changes to the starting 11 that takes to the pitch in Murcia, southeastern Spain.

    The former Real Madrid boss took the precaution of calling Barcelona's teenage striker Bojan Krkic into his squad to replace Torres, but he has not named anyone to cover for Silva.

    Del Bosque is unlikely to make any changes in defense as Iker Casillas will continue in goal with Joan Capdevila and Sergio Ramosas fullbacks and a central defense made up of Carles Puyol and RaulAlbiol.

    Marcos Senna will play the midfield holding role with Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta with the main doubt being whether Cesc Fabrigas or Santi Cazorla replaces Silva.

    Should Del Bosque choose Cesc, it could mean the Spanish lacking space to move the ball without Torres' pace through the middle. Cazorla meanwhile would provide the width which would better suit the power of strikers Dani Guiza and David Villa, who will lead the attack with Bojan waiting his turn on the bench.

    Spain have played Bosnia-Herzegovina four times in their history and have never lost to their rivals from the Balkans. However, Del Bosque's men would be well advised to remember the last time the two sides clashed in competition.

    Three years ago, it needed a last minute goal from Carlos Marchena to save the Spaniards from an embarrassing defeat in Valencia in their campaign to reach the 2006 World Cup finals.

Editor: Bi Mingxin
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