Better late than never: video goals of Iraq-Spian/South Africa - NZ

Spain found it tough to dispatch their Asian opposition but they managed a 1-1 game.



New Zealand were hapless against a spirited South Africa side that wasted loads of chances



_____

Confed Cup: Spain just edge past Iraq

Spain found Asian champions Iraq a tough nut to crack, having to rely on a solitary goal by David Villa to secure the three points in Bloemfontein.

Iraq worked very hard, especially in the first half, to disrupt Spain’s traditional free-flowing game, but as they legs began to give in the second half, Spain were able to stamp their authority on the game, looking more relaxed after Villa broke the deadlock 10 minutes after the restart.

Iraq never looked liked scoring, but did well to hold their own against the world’s top ranked team, especially during the opening 25 minutes.

In Spain’s match against New Zealand, everything they touched in the first half turned to gold as four goals rained in.

But the first 45 minutes of today’s game were in stark contrast as Vincente Del Bosque’s men struggled to find their rhythm – passes failed to come off on a regular basis, while there were several close, yet frustrating attempts in front of goal.

Spain’s first clear chance came in the 16th minute when Gerard Pique headed goal-wards from a corner kick.



His effort was a weak one, and it left Fernando Torres, who was better positioned, a frustrated man, underlining the European side’s uninspired start to the game.

In the 25th minute the crowd thought Spain had taken the lead, only to realise that Villa’s back-post volley had flown into the side-netting.

Five minutes later a long range effort from Santi Cazorla yielded the same result, with La Roja’s only other decent attempt before half-time coming when Joan Capdevilla’s header was saved by Iraq keeper Mohammed Kassid, who took a blow to the head from Sergio Ramos for his efforts.

Spain’s inadequacy in front of goal again came to the fore in the opening stages of the second half as Villa headed straight at Kassid after being superbly picked out by Cazorla’s accurate delivery.

But Villa finally got it right in the 54th minute, ending Spain’s frustration as he headed home an outstanding cross from the left by Capdevilla.

The strike boosted Villa (pictured) to second on the all-time Spanish goal-scorers list, trailing only Real Madrid’s Raul.

The goal also freed Spain up to find their rhythm again, allowing them to keep possession and thereby limit any come-back hopes for Iraq.

Juan Mata had a couple of chances to extend Spain’s lead, but dragged a 70th minute effort wide and then saw his close range effort being kept out thanks a brave block by Kassid.

Ramos came close with a rasping volley in the 85th minute, but there were nervy moments two minutes later in the Spanish box as Nashat Akram shot just wide.

But in the end Spain preserved their lead until the final whistle to book their place in the semi-finals, while the Lions of Mesopotamia, with one point in two games, are all but on their way home.

_____

Confed Cup: Iraq - Spain preview

Smart money says put your cash out for the Spaniard armada.

But football says it ain't over till the shrill blast.

Spain were Confederations Cup favorites ahead of their match with New Zealand, but pressure even increased ahead of their second game, against Iraq in an hour or so.

Following their 5-0 trashing of New Zealand, Spain know that another win would leave them practically qualified. In fact, la Furia Roja could equal the existing world record of most consecutive wins, 14. The record is currently held by Australia, Brazil and France.

Iraq were fortunate to draw the tournament opener with hosts South Africa, but this time things might just prove too difficult for the Asian champions.

It is expected that coach Bora Milutinovic picks a defensive tactic to keep the experienced Spanish strikers = like the pictured Torres - as far away from their goal as possible.

The senior sides of these two countries never met before, although the Iraqi youth team actually beat their Spanish rivals 2-0 at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in 1989.

The match is to be played in the city of Bloemfontein and starts at 1400GMT.

____