Looks like the RFEF is working on scheduling four friendlies that Luis Aragones wants as a final warmup for WC2006. He wants one big match in March and then he wants to emulate as much as possible the match schedule in Germany. The last three games he wanted to play against similar opponents: Russia=Ukraine, Morocco=Tunisia, but there was no one else that had an open date and played like the Saudi's for that match. This is what Luis wants and it is not finalized yet: Mexico or Switzerland 1 March in the Bernabeu Russia 27 May in Valladolid Morocco 3 June in Elche Island or Austria 7 June location TBD Viva Er Beti y Aupa Espanha! Er Pichi
I would argue that Iceland is better than the Saudis, but you are right that they are very different teams, Iceland is a bunch of defensive lumberjacks while the Saudis are physically much weaker.
Just because you might not have seen it on the other thread. Spain will be playing the US in Spain on March 1. Granted I could be wrong but I know Mexico plays Ghana in Dallas, Texas, on March 1 and the Swiss play Scotland in Glasgow on March 1. These two matchs are already listed on fifa.com.
Have any of you guys heard of anything in the Spanish media about a friendly with Iran? Apparently Iranian media is reporting that Iran and Spain will have a match in March in Espana.
On the 6th of Dec the Kuwaiti FA president announced that he recieved a letter from the Spanish FA requesting a friendly match between the two national teams in Spain. That was few days before the WC2006 draw The FA president said that a date for the match is yet to be determined and it has to be on a FIFA day. looking at Spain's schedule above, I think the friendly will be in April. ______________ Added; Just read in a Qatari forum that Spain will be playing Qatar on the 9th of January. According to the source, the match is confirmed!
Qatar is a bad idea, they are really weak, we should play Kuwait or Jordan (Greek of the Middle east) I would love to play iran, am a big fan of Iran, not to mention they play very attractive soccer.
there are rumors about iran-spain...have you guys heard anything? i think in France while the Spanish team is training there?...im not sure though
Spain has invited IRAQ (IFA) to play them in Madrid. Whether Iraq accepts, the game should be played in the next two months or so. The iraqi team has dramatically imrpoved in recent years, having just won the WAFF cup beating saudia arabia 5-1 and 2-0 in the process
I am sure that not getting corporally punished, physically and mentally abused by Saddams late son Uday "Soccer Coach for Life" Hussein for poor results has been the key! They finished fourth in the last olympics! http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/1120/p01s02-woiq.html Viva Er Beti Manque Pierda! Er Pichi
Because the Iraqi team has same style of play as Saudi except Iraq are far better than Saudi. Its funny how they qualified and Iraq didnt. Anyhow Iraq are progressing
According to the latest news in Iran, Spain is going to have a friendy match against Iran 20 days before the World Cup. The match will be played in France. Its not 100% official yet.
I am still waiting for the Spanish Soccer Federation to complete the dates and list, but since everyone is on a Christmas vacation that won't happen until next week sometime. Viva Er Beti Er Pichi
The first two matches have been confirmed for pre WC 2006 friendlies: 1 March Ivory Coast in Valladolid 27 May Russia in Albacete Talks are still ongoing for the last 2 friendlies that Luis wants to play on 3 and 7 June. Viva Er Beti y Aupa Espanha! Er Pichi
Final tune up for WC 2006 will be played in Geneva Switzerland on 7 June between Spain and Croatia. Aupa Espanha y viva er beti manque lopera! Er Pichi
Spain-Russia Friendly: Luis has not revealed his starting lineup for Saturday nights match in Albacete. Aupa Espanha y Viva Er Beti! Er Pichi MATIZÓ QUE NO EXISTE EL MIEDO, "SÓLO LA PREOCUPACIÓN" Luis: "Yo sólo tengo miedo a la velocidad de las balas" Luis Aragonés, seleccionador nacional, dijo en Albacete, donde el sábado España disputa un encuentro amistoso ante Rusia, que espera que ya se vea en el estadio Carlos Belmonte el mejor nivel del equipo, si bien advirtió de que los jugadores han trabajado juntos sólo una semana. "Espero el mejor nivel pero es difícil tras sólo una semana, pero quiero ver al menos progresión. Ahora estamos en la fase de explicar conceptos y que el jugador los asimile", dijo el seleccionador. Considera que en estos momentos de preparación "todo el mundo tiene dudas", aunque en su caso procura tener las menos posibles ante un amistoso del que dijo que sirve para evaluar el trabajo que se ha realizado hasta la fecha y ante un rival que es "parecido" al primer rival en el Mundial, Ucrania. "Yo tengo miedo sólo a la velocidad de las balas. El miedo no existe, sólo la preocupación. En todo caso, perder nos puede enseñar, pero toco madera porque no me gusta perder ni a las canicas", dijo al respecto. No quiere descubrir sus cartas Sobre la alineación apenas reveló detalles, si bien lo único que destacó es que la que presente en el último amistoso de los tres que tiene previsto antes del Mundial, si que se asemejará a la que debute en Alemania ante Ucrania. "Lo que más me interesa es adquirir los conceptos que nos lleven a defender bien, a estar juntos o tener la distancia idónea entre líneas. Eso es difícil para una selección, porque no tenemos tiempo para trabajar juntos, aunque los jugadores que vienen tienen experiencia en estos asuntos", comentó. No busca "acomodo" a Raúl Defendió que la convocatoria de Raúl González no se debe a que quiera "buscarle acomodo, sino porque de los hombres de arriba es uno de los que puede jugar" dentro de los distintos sistemas de juego que baraja. Además, comentó que ha visto a Xavi Hernández "muy bien" y al que por sus condiciones de juego y el lugar que ocupa en el campo le ha venido bien en su recuperación el hecho de que no necesite el mayor punto de velocidad que requieren otras demarcaciones.