Soccer: Spain won't rein in their efforts

TAEJON - Spain coach Jose Antonio Camacho is considering making five changes to his already-qualified side for their final group B match against South Africa tonight.

But he has warned his opponents not to expect an easy ride in a match where a draw would be a good result for both, taking Spain through as group winners and South Africa into the second round with them.

"The idea of us going out in search of anything other than a win is just absurd," Camacho said. "We wouldn't know how to play for a draw.

"There could be five changes but I'll be picking a team to beat South Africa. We'll have the same winning mentality as we did in the first match."

South Africa, second in the group with four points behind Spain on six, will reach the second round unless they lose and third-placed Paraguay, who have one point, overcome the African side's superior goal difference. Fourth-placed Slovenia are already eliminated.

Camacho was impressed by the way South Africa came back from two goals down in their first match against Paraguay to claim a draw.

"They don't have the biggest reputation in the world game but they work hard and chase everything down. We'll have to work hard as well."

South Africa followed their draw against Paraguay with a 1-0 win over Slovenia, their first World Cup victory after two draws and a loss in their only other appearance at the finals in 1998.

"It's not over yet but we're confident we can get through," said South Africa coach Jomo Sono.

"We weren't expected to reach the second round so we're able to go out and enjoy ourselves."

Siyabonga Nomvethe, left out for the Paraguay match, came in against Slovenia and scored after just four minutes of his first World Cup match. He should keep his place in the team alongside Benni McCarthy.

The changes planned by Camacho are likely to mean Fernando Hierro and Javi de Pedro being rested, with both nursing minor knocks.

Ivan Helguera could come in to partner Miguel Angel Nadal at centre-back, with Gaizka Mendieta replacing De Pedro on the left of midfield.

Playmaker Xavi has a strong case for inclusion but the coach has offered few clues as to his starting line-up.

Paraguay have a draw and a loss to show from their two games so far, and failure to progress is likely to cost their Italian coach Cesare Maldini his job.

"If we win against Slovenia, we still have a chance of reaching the second round," said Maldini, who has seen his side lead at halftime in their first two games, only to be pegged back to draw 2-2 with South Africa and to be defeated 3-1 by Spain.

The Slovenes have nothing to play for but pride after a disastrous tournament, in which their main talking has been done off, rather than on, the pitch.

A 3-1 opening defeat to Spain was followed by a 1-0 loss to South Africa, but it was the expulsion of the volatile Zlatko Zahovic that made headlines, manager Srecko Katanec sending his playmaker home after a long feud.

Probable teams:

South Africa: Andre Arendse; Cyril Nzama, Aaron Mokoena, Lucas Radebe, Bradley Carnell; Quinton Fortune, MacBeth Sibaya, Tebeho Mokoena, Sibusiso Zuma; Siyabonga Nomvethe, Benni McCarthy.

Spain: Iker Casillas; Curro Torres, Ivan Helguera, Miguel Angel Nadal, Enrique Romero; Luis Enrique, Juan Carlos Valeron, Xavi, Gaizka Mendieta; Raul, Fernando Morientes

Slovenia: Marko Simeunovic; Spasoje Bulajic, Marinko Galic, Zeljko Milinovic, Amir Karic; Doni Novak, Ales Ceh, Miran Pavlin, Mladen Rudonja, Milenko Acimovic; Milan Osterc.

Paraguay: Jose Luis Chilavert; Franciso Arce, Carlos Gamarra, Celso Ayala, Julio Cesar Caceres, Denis Caniza; Carlos Parades, Roberto Acuna, Jorge Campos; Jose Cardozo, Roque Santa Cruz.

- REUTERS

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