World Cup Preview: Spain-South Africa
South Africa - Spain | News Archive
Who's that girl in the crowd? (Allsport)
06/11/2002. South Africa are, with fellow Africans Senegal, one of the World Cup's surprise packages. Their first game of the tournament (against Paraguay) was entertaining yet naive, especially as it came after a fiesta of tactical and technical abilities in Nigeria-Argentina. However the Bafana Bafana made the most of Slovenia's catacylsmic crisis and grabbed an unprecedented win in the World Cup. It followed similar achievements by minnows like hosts Korea & Japan, who were also anxiously waiting for their very first WC success.
As for Spain, they are one of the only "big guns" (together with Brazil) to have enjoyed a quiet First Round. While the likes of France, Italy or Argentina were sweating to grab their ticket to the next stage, Spain strolled to victory against Slovenia and Paraguay, with a little help from the ref. Those good results will enable coach Camacho to field a second-string team, with the view to rest his key players for the more demanding knock-out stages.
All in all, a draw could be enough for South Africa to qualify. This result would also fit Spain, who could then remain on top of the group. South Africa have their eyes set on a historic achievement which would come ten years after their return on the World stage after 30 years spent on the sidelines because of their apartheid policy.
TEAM NEWS
As we mentioned, Camacho is set to heavily rely on his reserves for this match. When asked whether he will give special instructions to his team, the Spanish tecnico reassured the media and said he would demand a win from them. New additions feature Curro Torres, Romero and Helguera in defence, Xavi and Mendieta in midfield, while Real pair Raul & Morientes should start the match up front. Javier De Pedro is out due to a muscle injury.
Jomo Sono's major change should be Siyabonga Nomvete confirmed up front together with new Boro boy Benni McCarthy after a successful match end against Slovenia. Nomvete was left out of South Africa's first match against Paraguay. Sono's lineup is expected to be broadly unchanged except for Nomvete.
PROBABLE LINEUPS
Spain (4-4-2): Ricardo or Iker Casillas, Curro Torres, Romero, Helguera, Nadal, Xavi, Mendieta, Luis Enrique, Valeron, Raul, Morientes
South Africa (4-4-2): Arendse, Nzama, A Mokoena, Radebe, Carnell, Fortune, Sibaya, T Mokoena, Zuma, Nomvete, McCarthy
WHO'S HOT
Spain: Raul - All too easy to earmark him as a possible hotshot, but the Real forward could be in for a revenge after a short 98 edition, in which Espana failed to shine. His involvement in the Red Furies first two games of the tournament were a clear sign he was ready to rock on after a successful season (although less spectacular than usual) with Real Madrid.
South Africa: McCarthy and Nomvete. Look out for those two players. They are well known in Spain and Italy but don't have an international reputation that fits their talent. They could be devastating against a veteran like Nadal, whose pace can be compared to, say, a snail.
WHO'S NOT
Spain: Mendieta. His comeback in midfield should not fool anyone: the former Valencia captain is half the man he used to be. His international career has suffered a lot from his poor year at Lazio. This chance Camacho is giving him should be treasured like gold!
South Africa: the Bafana Bafana are all over the moon!
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