Spain seem to have lost the scintillating brilliance that amazed audiences during Euro 2008. In South Africa last year, there were concerns over La Furia Roja’s performances throughout the 2009 Confederations Cup where they failed to clinch glory. Vicente del Bosque might explain Spain’s unimpressive form against Saudi Arabia and South Korea lately as the result of trying different tactics with less capped players like Jesus Navas and Pedro.
Either way, there is also the excuse that Spain’s players are visibly suffering to adapt to the 2010 FIFA World Cup official match ball, Jabulani. But is this the only reason why the Spanish allowed so many holes in defense for the Koreans to create goal scoring opportunities which they couldn’t take at the relief of the 2009 Confederations Cup bronze medalists?
Well, the Spanish are widely regarded as underachievers based on their World Cup record. If they can keep the unbeaten record they set against Poland since the 1950s and stretch their winning run to 12 matches since losing 2-0 to the USA in the Confederations Cup semis, then they will surely have the necessary amount of momentum to battle at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
