Soccer: Raul aiming for third time lucky at World Cup

MADRID - Spain striker Raul believes his time spent recovering from a knee injury during the season has left him with his best chance yet of shining in a World Cup soccer tournament.

The 28-year-old team captain is Spain's all-time leading goalscorer but has failed to make his mark at a World Cup yet.

"In previous tournaments I have always arrived thinking I had to take it easy to make sure I hit the important games in the best possible form," Raul told Real Madrid's official website.

"After three months out with an injury during this season I am feeling better prepared for this tournament physically and mentally. I'm very confident this time round."

In 1998 Spain went out in the first round with Raul having found the net just once, while in 2002 they fell to hosts South Korea on penalties in the quarter-finals, with Raul scoring three times and sitting out the last game with an injury.

Raul suffered a partial tear of the cruciate ligament and damaged the cartilage in his left knee during Real's 3-0 defeat against Barcelona in November and did not return to action until mid-February.

He struggled to win back his place and did not manage to add to his modest tally of five league goals, his lowest total since breaking into Real's first team 12 seasons ago.

His poor form has drawn criticism from some quarters and coach Luis Aragones has preferred the youth and pace of Valencia's David Villa and Atletico Madrid's Fernando Torres up front in training, and in their opening warm-up match.

But Raul started and broke his scoring drought with a goal against Egypt in Saturday's warm-up match against African champions Egypt.

"This criticism isn't new. I know I have the confidence of the coach and my team mates which is more important," he added.

"The coach knows what I can do and thinks it is important for me to be in the side to help Spain.

"We aren't among the favourites to win but there are sides like us or the Netherlands that could yet spring a surprise."

Spain play their last friendly against Croatia in Geneva on Wednesday and face Ukraine in their opening match on June 14. Their other opponents in Group H are Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

- REUTERS