Iker Casillas.
A tough reception to the Confederations Cup looms for New Zealand when they open their campaign against rampant European champions, Spain, at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Sunday.
Also thrown into Group A with hosts South Africa and Iraq, the All Whites have the unenviable task of being first to face the number one ranked team in the world. La Furia Roja (the Red Fury), as they are known to their fans in Spain, arrived in South Africa on Wednesday bent on proving that they deserve to occupy the top spot. Whispers of disapproval have been loud from critics who question Spain’s status as the best team in the world.
Even with a remarkable unbeaten streak of 33 games dating back to 2006, La Furia Roja are still not accorded the respect they deserve, simply because they have not won the World Cup. Their first appearance in the Confederations Cup presents the best possible stage for Vicente del Bosque’s ambitious side to prove their pedigree. With world champions Italy, African champions Egypt and the irrepressible Brazil descending on African soil for the World Cup dress rehearsal, Spain can at last answer their critics. Jorge Carretero, spokesperson for the Spanish football federation, summed up their goal in the two-week tournament.
”The Confederations Cup is an important tournament for us because it will be our chance to shine on the global stage. Europe saw last summer [during Euro 2008] just how good this Spanish team is … Now we want the world to see,” he said.
If the world was not watching Spain’s 6-0 demolition of Azerbaijan in a friendly match early this week, New Zealand certainly did and are under no illusion about the strength of their opponents.
”Although we have not played Spain in recent years, we know enough about them to appreciate that they are probably the best team in the world,” New Zealand Football spokesperson Jamie Scott said this week.
”We are the underdogs in Sunday’s match, which lifts a lot of pressure from our boys. New Zealand has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Any positive result would be a bonus for us,” said Scott.
Coach Ricki Herbert is more in awe than afraid of the mighty Spaniards.
”It’s a fantastic opportunity. It may be a mammoth gap between where we are and they are, but it gives us a chance to put a good foot forward on the world stage. New Zealand respects Spain but we are not sincerely afraid of them,” said Herbert.
The respect the All Whites have for La Furia Roja is not misplaced, given the gulf in talent between the two sides. Even with Barcelona star Andries Iniesta injured, Iker Cassillas — arguably the best goalkeeper in the game — captains a Spanish side teeming with class.
Hat-trick hero David Villa, Liverpool Star Fernando Torres, Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas, Barcelona skipper Carles Puyol, Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso, Xabi Hernandez and Marcos Senna still make the Euro 2008 champions favourites to finish top of Group A. The only question that remains is who will join them.
New Zealand, on the other hand, have been robbed of the much-needed services of their captain, Ryan Nelson, after he failed to recover from injury. ”The loss of Ryan for our team is a bitter blow because he is the leader,” said Scott.
In his absence the All Whites will look to a group of players who play in the less fashionable leagues of the United States, Scotland and their less competitive domestic league. That 17-year-old Chris Wood was their only English Premier League player before the relegation of West Bromwich gives a clearer picture of the epic David vs Goliath encounter that will take place in Rustenburg on Sunday.
To their credit, the All Whites attempted to bridge the gap by arriving in Africa early and playing two friendly matches against Tanzania and Botswana. The results were not pleasing against these lowly rated teams even by African standards. The Oceanic champions lost 2-1 in Tanzania and drew 0-0 in Botswana last weekend.
Still, Scott believes the practice matches have been ”priceless”.
”Our players are scattered around the world, from the US to the Scottish league, and seldom get a chance to work out together. The past two weeks have given the coach [Ricki Herbert] a rare opportunity to work with what is close to a full squad. Football is a funny game. Who knows, we may spring a surprise,” he said.