Associated Press Sports
updated 10:48 a.m. ET Nov. 14, 2011
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) -Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque hasn't expressed any concern publicly since his team lost four of eight friendlies since winning the World Cup.
He may start sounding worried, though, if Spain loses to Costa Rica on Tuesday.
Spain dominated possession at Wembley Stadium on Saturday but lost to England 1-0. That followed losses in friendlies against three other powerful football countries: Argentina, Portugal and Italy.
"The loss doesn't mean the team was relaxing," Del Bosque said. "We played hard and were fired up. ... Maybe we lacked finishing, but not effort."
Spain goes into the match against Costa Rica without injury worries, and it figures to be a landmark night for goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
The 30-year-old Casillas will surpass Andoni Zubizarreta as the country's all-time appearance leader with his 127th match. Casillas, who equaled the mark in England, is expected to start the match and give way to Barcelona goalkeeer Victor Valdes.
Asked about being a Spanish football legend, Casillas said that was something he could savor later.
"When you live with these things daily, you are not really aware of them," Casillas said. "When you leave football and look back at the statistics, you can appreciate it more."
Spanish players expressed frustration at England's defensive style. Costa Rica is likely to play a more open match, giving the Spanish space to show off their powerful midfield led by Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets.
The keys for Costa Rica will be strikers Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell, both of whom are playing this season in Europe. Both are counterattacking players, which may also allow Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto to stack the defense and wait for an opening.
The decision to play the match in Central America has been criticized in Spain, with many questioning the travel and the quality of the opposition.
? 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/45289215/ns/sports-soccer/
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