Egypt, France airdrop aid to Gaza amid growing humanitarian crisis, global criticism of Israel    Supply minister discusses strengthening cooperation with ITFC    Egypt launches initiative with traders, manufacturers to reduce prices of essential goods    SCZONE chief discusses strengthening maritime, logistics cooperation with Panama    Egypt strengthens healthcare partnerships to enhance maternity, multiple sclerosis, and stroke care    Egypt keeps Gaza aid flowing, total tops 533,000 tons: minister    Egypt reviews health insurance funding mechanism to ensure long-term sustainability    Gaza on verge of famine as war escalates, ceasefire talks stall    Gaza crisis, trade on agenda as Trump hosts Starmer in Scotland    Egyptian president follows up on initiatives to counter extremist thought    Indian Embassy to launch cultural festival in Assiut, film fest in Cairo    Egyptian aid convoy heads toward Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens    Culture minister launches national plan to revive film industry, modernise cinematic assets    Sudan's ambassador to Egypt holds reconstruction talks on with Arab League    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Sisi calls for boosting oil & gas investment to ease import burden    EGX to close Thursday for July 23 Revolution holiday    Egypt welcomes 25-nation statement urging end to Gaza war    Sisi sends letter to Nigerian president affirming strategic ties    Egypt, Senegal sign pharma MoU to unify regulatory standards    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    58 days that exposed IMF's contradictions on Egypt    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



World Cup Group H Preview: Spain, Chile and more
Published in Daily News Egypt on 24 - 06 - 2010

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa: Chile stands in the way of Spain's lofty World Cup hopes, as the European champion goes into its final Group H match on Friday needing victory to secure its spot in the knockout phase.
With both Switzerland and Honduras still in the mix for one of the last two places in the last 16, Spain know it's time to live up to pre-tournament expectations or potentially go home early.
"For us it's clear what we have to do — we have to beat Chile," said midfielder Andres Iniesta, who is available for the final group match after overcoming a right leg injury.
"We've got a clear idea about what we need to do and we're confident of reaching the next round. Nothing else is important."
Whether it's the World Cup favorite tag slapped on it, overconfidence or tactical changes, Spain hasn't quite been able to emulate the attractive play that led it to its European triumph two years ago.
Chile needs only a draw at Pretoria's Loftus Versfeld Stadium to win the group as its six points leads the three Spain and Switzerland each have. Honduras has zero.
The winner of the group, which could come down to goal difference if there is a three-way tie on points, is also likely to avoid a match up with Group G leader Brazil.
Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa's love of attacking football should provide an exciting finale to the group stage and be nothing like the two teams' previous encounter in 2008 — a 3-0 win for Spain.
Chile has never beaten Spain in the teams' past seven matches, suffering defeats in six.
Spain will have David Villa in attack after avoiding a FIFA ban for slapping an opponent, while Fernando Torres should also start despite missing three scoring chances against Honduras.
Spain and Chile took more shots than any other team after two games but both only scored two goals. Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas will finally get some work after facing only three shots on goal so far.
While Spain frets over which super star will become a super sub, Bielsa is without midfielders Carlos Carmona and Matias Fernandez to suspension.
Jorge Valdivia will likely fill in for Fernandes, while striker Humberto Suazo is also available.
Chile is using a torn and muddied Chilean flag as extra motivation.
The flag was pulled from the wreckage left behind by the earthquake and tsunami that hit the South American country in February, killing more than 500 people and leaving 200,000 homeless.
After toppling Spain in its World Cup opener, Switzerland wouldn't have thought its tournament would be hanging in the balance going into its final Group H match on Friday against Honduras.
The Swiss can still top the group — or finish rock bottom. But the path at least is clear: beat Honduras by two goals at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein and the Swiss are through to the knockout round.
Chile, which plays Spain in a simulteneous game, currently leads Group H on six points. Switzerland is level with Spain on three points, although the Spanish have a better goal difference. Honduras is last on zero points.
Behrami is suspended after his red card, and Switzerland is also likely to be without defender Philippe Senderos, who sprained his right ankle against Spain.
Still, Switzerland has reason to be confident.
The veteran squad boasts nine holdovers from the 2006 World Cup squad that reached the round of 16 and was eliminated on penalties by Ukraine despite not having conceded a goal over four games.
Honduras can still qualify for the knockout stage with a big win against Switzerland and some luck, and coach Reinaldo Rueda said his team will fight as long as there's a chance to advance.
"We must go out to win, and dignity must emerge," Rueda said. "We must take into account that we still mathematically have a faint hope of qualifying."


Clic here to read the story from its source.