- Title: SOCCER-EURO/SPAIN SLOVAKIA Spain pleased to solve Slovakian problem
- Date: 6th September 2015
- Summary: OVIEDO, SPAIN (SEPTEMBER 5, 2015) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** SPAIN COACH VICENTE DEL BOSQUE ENTERS NEWS CONFERENCE ROOM 2. NEWS CONFERENCE ROOM 3. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SPAIN COACH VICENTE DEL BOSQUE SAYING: "The script we expected when we started our get together last Tuesday is exactly what has happened and I think we have been able to solve the problems that the Slovakian team posed. We have moved the ball very quickly and very well, we have blocked most of their counter-attacks very well, apart from one or two. So I think it is is something we can be happy about. It's true, we have developed more football than we have created goal-scoring opportunities." PHOTOGRAPHERS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SPAIN COACH VICENTE DEL BOSQUE SAYING: "On Gerard (Pique), it is lamentable. People here in Asturias have behaved fantastically, but for those that whistle against a player of the Spanish national team, it is most unfortunate." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS DEL BOSQUE LEAVING ROOM NEWS CONFERENCE ROOM WITH SLOVAKIA COACH JAN KOZAK 9. (SOUNDBITE) (Slovakian) SLOVAKIA COACH JAN KOZAK SAYING: "We knew very well that we were preparing ourselves to play against a very strong Spanish team. They have proved it in this game and they deserve this victory, I congratulate them." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Slovakian) SLOVAKIA COACH JAN KOZAK SAYING: "No I don't think so. The game against Ukraine is going to be a different game, we are going to play at home with our supporters that are always very enthusiastic, and keep in mind that this defeat has come because we were playing a great rival. However, I think that we played very well during the 90 minutes but Spain deserves the victory, they have been better than us. But I don't think this result will influence in a our mental state in a negative way." NEW CONFERENCE ROOM KOZAK LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 21st September 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Spain
- Country: Spain
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA3VE3H1MGMOD5NTCQ14RAGMB29
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Spain moved to the top of Euro 2016 qualification Group C after solving the problems they had with Slovakia last October, winning with comfortable 2-0 victory this time.
One of the smallest men on the pitch, Jordi Alba, nodded past Slovakia goalkeeper Matus Kozacik from David Silva's beautifully executed cross in only the fifth minute and Andres Iniesta made it 2-0 from the penalty spot after half an hour after Kozacik felled Diego Costa in the area.
Spain ruthlessly dominated possession and restricted the visitors, who surprised them 2-1 in Zilina in October, to the odd counter attack, when they were unable to cause too much trouble for keeper Iker Casillas, making his 100th appearance as captain.
Coach Vicente del Bosque was pleased his side had learned their lessons from their previous meeting.
"The script we expected when we started our get together last Tuesday is exactly what has happened and I think we have been able to solve the problems that the Slovakian team posed. We have moved the ball very quickly and very well, we have blocked most of their counter-attacks very well, apart from one or two. So I think it is is something we can be happy about. It's true, we have developed more football than we have created goal-scoring opportunities."
Del Bosque was also asked about the whistles that had come from sections of the crowd directed at Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, every time he touched the ball.
Pique has been an outspoken supporter of the Catalonia independence movement, and has often made jibes against his club's arch-rivals Real Madrid.
"On Gerard (Pique), it is lamentable. People here in Asturias have behaved fantastically, but for those that whistle against a player of the Spanish national team, it is most unfortunate."
With seven of 10 matches played, Spain and Slovakia each have 18 points, with the Spanish top due to a better head-to-head record. Ukraine, who won 3-1 at home to Belarus earlier on Saturday, are third on 15 points.
Spain travel to Skopje to play bottom side Macedonia in their next qualifier on Tuesday, while Slovakia host Ukraine. The top two from the group qualify for Euro 2016.
Slovakia coach Jan Kozak was quick to praise Spain for their win.
"We knew very well that we were preparing ourselves to play against a very strong Spanish team,. They have proved it in this game and they deserve this victory, I congratulate them."
Kozak was also asked whether the defeat would adversely effect his team ahead of Tuesday's crunch match against Ukraine.
"No I don't think so. The game against Ukraine is going to be a different game, we are going to play at home with our supporters that are always very enthusiastic, and keep in mind that this defeat has come because we were playing a great rival. However, I think that we played very well during the 90 minutes but Spain deserves the victory, they have been better than us. But I don't think this result will influence in a our mental state in a negative way." - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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