The Spanish armada finally fired its first salvo at their World Cup rivals with a 2-0 win over Honduras. Just like against Switzerland, La Furia Roja dominated the match from start to finish, but the only difference this time round was that there was an end product. David Villa opened his quest for the Golden Boot with two goals. El Guaje could have had a hattrick but the normally clinical Villa showed he was human also by shooting wide of the Honduras post.
When asked about the miss, the new Barcelona man said,
“I missed that penalty due to pressure with the scoreline at 2-0. I have been shooting penalties all my life, it just happened. It was pressure maybe."
So it's not just the English players who are having difficulty keeping a focused mind. This is the highest level of football, I think we should be able to expect some jangly nerves from even the best players.
It could have been more goals but unfortunately Spain could not finish off Los Catrachos. Looking a bit ring rusty, Torres had at least two chances that a sharper El Nino would have buried. Fabregas came on as substitute and his first contribution was to put his hand on his head in disbelief as he shot straight at the Honduras goalie.
Gerard Pique is steadily becoming the new "Terry Butcher" as he once more shed blood in Spain's pursuit for World Cup glory. Against Switzerland, he got kicked and bled from his head. With Honduras, a flailing boot landed on his upper lip, causing more bleeding. Who says that continental defenders aren't hard? Try telling that to the imposing 6ft 4in former Manchester United player. Pique's cuts and bruises (he got kicked in the nuts as well) epitomises Evel Knievel's pain is temporary, glory is forever, chicks dig scars.
Spain could also be severely affected by the altitude effects, Puyol and Pique were pictured hands on knees trying to catch their breath. The Spanish defence were hardly troubled by the Honduras attack. The thinner air and lesser oxygen could be miscontrued as stress or anxiety feelings (see Villa's excuse above). Hope this picture does not reflect my view of this brilliant Spanish side.
Although a good win for Spain, on a day that Portugal banged in seven in a timilarly tight Group G, Spain should have done the same as goal difference looks increasingly likely to decide who advances from Group H.
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment