/ 20 June 2006

Tough day at the office for African teams

Spain joined the happy band of qualifiers for the second round of the World Cup on Monday but were made to work hard for their 3-1 victory over 2004 African Nations Cup champions Tunisia.

It was a tough day at the office for Africa as the joy of Ghana’s win over the Czech Republic evaporated as Switzerland beat Togo 2-0 which means the troubled West African side will be going home after their final group match against France on Friday.

Spain’s first victims Ukraine rebounded from their 4-0 drubbing to inflict one of their own on hapless Asian giants Saudi Arabia, who bizarrely still have an outside chance of qualifying — if they beat Spain by around 5-0 on Friday.

Spain, though, looked far from the freescoring side that dismantled Ukraine for the first hour against Tunisia as the African side took the lead early on.

However, once they conceded the 71st minute equaliser — Raul scoring the all-important goal both for his team and for him personally — they folded.

Fernando Torres got the other two to become the leading scorer in the tournament with three goals.

Raul was smiling as he strode from the pitch having scored one of the more important of his 43 international goals.

”Regarding my goal it was very important for the team to get back on terms,” said Raul.

”It calmed us down and it says a lot for the team that we hung on in there and came back.”

It left Tunisia coach Roger Lemerre without a win in five World Cup finals matches but he still has one more opportunity against Ukraine to come and victory would give them a place in the second round.

Lemerre, who cast a rather emotional figure on the touchline with his forceful shouts, said it was a very disappointing result.

”The team did not collapse in the second-half,” said a defiant former France handler.

”It is just there are moments in a match when the tide turns. However this match has given us hope and I hope we can put that into practice against Ukraine.

”However, it is true that we are deeply disappointed. As for how far Spain will go … well I am not a clairvoyant and for sure we put doubt into their minds. But there is no doubt about the quality of Spain up front.”

Togo’s veteran German coach Otto Pfister said he was proud of his team, despite their threat to boycott their game against the Swiss until they were paid bonuses.

”Switzerland are a good side who were simply more realistic at using their goal-scoring chances,” he said.

”But I am satisifed with my team. They are here to learn.” – Sapa-AFP