Mon, Jun 19, 2006 page18

• World Cup: Spain keen to build on impressive start

  NO FLUKE Coach Luis Aragones' team are playing it cool following their opening game romp, while Tunisia will have to do without their top striker for the crucial game

  • AGENCIES
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  Preview
  

  Spain v TunisiaSpain are out to prove that their scintillating start to the World Cup was no fluke when they play Tunisia in their second Group H match today.

  Luis Aragones' side dismantled a much-fancied Ukraine team in a 4-0 win on Wednesday, raising hopes that, after half a century of World Cup disappointments, this could be their year.

  

  Spanish defender Sergio Ramos, center, kicks the ball watched by fellow forward Fernando Torres, right, during a training session in Kamen, on Saturday.

  PHOTO: AFP

  "We couldn't have made a better start and we can't let opportunities like this pass us by," said striker Fernando Torres who added the finishing touch to one of the finest team goals of the tournament when he scored his side's fourth.

  "We have to make the most of the fact that so many of our players seem to be in such good form," he said.

  However, the 22-year-old believes Spain will only build on their success so far if they do not get carried away by the euphoria that has greeted the victory back home.

  "We've done nothing so far, we've just played one good game," he said. "We have to approach our next game with the same humility we showed in the first."

  Spain's Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas was also trying to calm the expectation caused by the Ukraine game.

  ``It could be a bit dangerous to think that every game is going to be like this,'' he said after practice on Saturday.

  "People are saying `Spain, they are fantastic,' while before they had doubts. I think in our mind there is only one thing: our next game against Tunisia," he said. ``All we want to do is play the same football.''

  The comprehensive nature of Spain's victory, which extended their unbeaten run to 23 games, means Aragones is unlikely to make any changes to the starting lineup.

  Skillful

  Playmaker Xavi believes Spain will win again but expects a much tougher match against the 2004 African champions.

  "On paper we are superior to Tunisia but they play at a frenetic rhythm and are a skillful side, probably more skillful than Ukraine," he said.

  Tunisia, who needed a last-gasp goal from defender Radhi Jaidi to snatch a 2-2 draw against Saudi Arabia in their opening game, are confident they can produce a much-improved performance against the group leaders.

  Motivated

  "Sure we will be motivated," Jaidi said. "They are a big team with big players. We can repair what we've done. In any case we can't do as badly or worse than in the last game. We must concentrate and keep cool."

  Once more Tunisia will have to do without injured leading striker Francileudo dos Santos. The Brazilian-born player, who has scored 18 goals in 28 matches, is out with a shin injury.

  Their French coach Roger Lemerre believes qualification will rest on his side's final match against Ukraine and has hinted that he may rest some players.

  Now at their fourth World Cup finals, Tunisia have won just one of their previous 10 games when they beat Mexico 3-1 in their debut in Argentina in 1978.
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