THE Spanish team arrived on May 27 to acclimatise and signal their
intention of converting their 2005 Junior World Cup bronze medal to a
higher level in the Malaysia-Singapore Junior World Cup which begins on
Sunday.
The Spaniards come with a big reputation of winning the European
Under-21 championship. However, 12 players from that group are over-aged,
and will not be playing against Malaysia in Group C.
The other teams in Group C are the United States, South Korea and
England.
In 2005, Spain beat 2001 Junior World Cup winners India on penalties in
the bronze play-off after the match ended 1-1 in extra-time.
Spain have come with four players who are Under-18. They are goalkeeper
Borja Zumalacarreguim. midfielders Vicens Ruiz and Salva Piera and
defender Alex de Fruros.
In a recent four-nation meet in Germany, Spain could only edge Malaysia
2-1.
And yesterday, the juniors played a friendly against Spain at the Taman
Daya Stadium, the venue for the Junior World Cup, and lost 7-2.
"We matched them in every department and the score was 2-2 at one time,
and being satisfied with how my first choice players played, I started
changing players and also positions.
"This was to give everybody in the line-up a chance to prove themselves
before I name the final squad," said Juniors coach K. Rajan.
Malaysia scored through a penalty corner and a field goal: "Physically,
Spanish players are taller, but we kept pace with speed.
"It was a good sizing-up experience, as Spain are in our group."
Malaysia open accounts against England on June 7, South Korea the next
day, United States on June 10, and play Spain in their final group match
on June 12.
Today, Rajan will deploy his players against Belgium in a friendly.
The Belgians are in Group A with defending champions Argentina, Egypt,
Pakistan and Russia.
