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Belgium and Spain have no room for error
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-10-08 09:14 GOAL DROUGHT
Together with captain Raul, Torres will bear much of the responsibility for
ensuring Spain finish their campaign on a high but, like the rest of his team,
the Atletico Madrid player has struggled to find the net in recent games.
Spain have scored just 11 goals in their eight matches with five of those
against group whipping boys San Marino, while Torres has only netted three times
in 21 internationals.
"If we start nervously, it could be deadly," Aragones said on Friday. "We
must be calm and confident right from the start."
While Spain's coach knows his head is on the block, failure by Belgium to
qualify for Germany will almost certainly see an end to Anthuenis' reign.
"I am not thinking about that," said the 61 year-old Belgian. "I'm just
concentrating on these two games. After that it is up to the Belgian FA."
Midfielder Jelle Van Damme became Belgium's latest casualty this week after
failing to recover from a groin injury and will also miss Wednesday's game in
Lithuania.
It is a massive blow to Anthuenis who already had to plan without
Anderlecht's Vincent Kompany, Racing Genk winger Koen Daerden and Nice
midfielder Roberto Bisconti.
He looks set to give Stoke City's Carl Hoefkens the nod to replace Kompany at
the heart of the defence.
Probable teams:
Belgium: Silvio Proto: Anthony Vanden Borre, Daniel Van Buyten, Carl
Hoefkens, Olivier Deschacht, Thomas Buffel, Yves Vanderhaeghe, Bart Goor, Timmy
Simons, Mbo Mpenza, Emile Mpenza.
Spain: Iker Casillas; Michel Salgado, Carles Puyol, Carlos Marchena, Antonio
Lopez; Joaquin, Xavi, David Albelda, Vicente;
Raul, Fernando Torres
Referee: Lubos Michel (Slovakia)
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