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PREVIEW: Spain looking to extend excellent run in Brussels

Brussels - Euro champions Spain look to maintain their perfect World Cup qualifiying record on Wednesday in Belgium, with a bad pitch their only real concern.  La Seleccion , as it is known, is enjoying one of the sweetest moments in its 88-year hist...
Posted : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 07:27:41 GMT
By : DPA
Category : Sports
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Brussels - Euro champions Spain look to maintain their perfect World Cup qualifiying record on Wednesday in Belgium, with a bad pitch their only real concern. "La Seleccion", as it is known, is enjoying one of the sweetest moments in its 88-year history, unbeaten in 26 matches and not conceding a goal in seven games.

The team coach transition from Luis Aragones to Vicente del Bosque after the Euro 2008 triumph in June has been smooth.

Spain are top of World Cup qualifying Group 5 with a maximum nine points from three games, two points above Belgium and Turkey.

But after Saturday's 3-0 stroll away to Estonia, Del Bosque admitted that the Belgium match "will be more difficult."

In particular, the Spanish players are worried about the state of the pitch in the Koning Boudewijn Stadion, after hearing several Belgian players complain after their 2-0 defeat of Armenia on Saturday.

The website of the Marca daily quoted Belgian striker Wesley Sonck, one of the scorers against Armenia, as saying that "the pitch was a scandal.

"It felt like we were playing on sand...It's a disgrace to play against the best team in the world on this pitch."

Del Bosque plans to "refresh" his team by making a few changes, but refused to give details.

Andoni Iraola might come in at right-back for Sergio Ramos, who has been suffering from muscular problems lately. Fernando Navarro might be given his chance at left-back, in place of Joan Capdevila.

Marcos Senna is likely to return as midfield anchorman, after sitting out the Estonia game. Xabi Alonso might be the man replaced, though the Barcelona pair of Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez are also looking weary.

Albert Riera will meet up again with the Spain squad in Brussels on Monday, after flying back to Barcelona from Tallinn because of the birth of his first son.

Belgium manager Rene Vandereycken, for his part, is likely to beef up his defence with Ajax centre-back Thomas Vermaelen, who missed out against Armenia.

The same as Del Bosque, Vandereycken refused to reveal his hand on Sunday.

"We are facing a totally different opponent on Wednesday," he said. Therefore, I need different players and we will use a different style of play.

"Our team is still very young and not all the lads are ready to play two important matches in four days," said the 1986 World Cup star.

Copyright DPA

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