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Post Draw: Quotes and Analysis |
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Spain (ESP) |
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Coach: José Antonio Camacho
Even though, as usual, people are saying we are better than our opponents, we still have to prove it out there on the pitch where it matters most. In the past we have gone into too many World Cup tournaments believing in our chances to progress, only to fall flat on our faces at the first hurdle. The players must get it into their heads that winning is the important thing. We know Paraguay well from the last World Cup when they gave us a verytough match. South Africa are more of an unknown quantity although we have followed some of their players and their qualifying campaign. Slovenia, on the other hand, are an old acquaintance from Euro 2000, where they made it very difficult for us. There is no such thing as a foregone conclusion in World Cup tournaments. I have no qualms with the location because that is where we have been allocated to play. Let us hope that it is to our liking and that we can stay there in the later part of the competition.
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Slovenia (SVN) |
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Coach: Srecko Katanec
Spain is the favourite - they’re so skilful, very, very good. We know them, we played them in EURO 2000. But it wasn’t important who we drew. We are concentrate on ourselves as we know that all teams at this level are good. I know Paraguay and South Africa?For Slovenia this is a very important and proud moment because we are a small country and this is a very big event. I don’t want to say that we’ll stop here though. We’ll show that we can play some nice football. It will be very important for us to come here and compete and show how good we can be.
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Paraguay (PAR) |
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Director of national select teams: José Silva
It is by no means a straightforward group but we are not in awe of anybody. We know all about Spain from the last World Cup when we met and they were subsequently knocked out. Slovenia and South Africa are two countries we know relatively little about. We will begin to do our homework as soon as a new coach is in place. We can only plan so much without the completion of this vital appointment.
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South Africa (RSA) |
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Coach: Carlos Queiroz
We are pleased. We know that it will be very difficult considering the calibre of teams such as Slovenia, Spain and Paraguay. The last two, in particular, can call on a vast wealth of international experience. I think that this group can produce some entertaining games. South Africa? We are certainly not the favourites but we have one concrete aim and that is to progress to the second round. We shall work exceptionally hard in order to achieve this.
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Group Analysis:
Spain and Paraguay met at France 98, but could not score a goal between them. Whereas Paraguay went on to the last 16, this stalemate would cost the Spaniards dearly as they failed to get beyond the group stage. This time, however, they will have an advantage over their Spanish-speaking rivals, since Paraguay are currently without a coach and their talismanic goalkeeper and captain Jose Luis Chilavert will be suspended for the two first matches of the tournament.
Slovenia will be enjoying their first FIFA World Cup, whilst South Africa will be on the world stage for the second time since the country was allowed back into international competition.
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