SPAIN v SAUDI ARABIA, TUNISIA v UKRAINE MATCH REPORT
Report by Pez

ENGLAND v ECUADOR MATCH PROGRAMME

Spain v Saudi Arabia

Spain set up the possibility of a mouth-watering clash with France with a win despite Saudi Arabia putting the Europeans under great pressure in the last twenty minutes, when the game should have been sealed long before.

Baring any miracles for Saudi Arabia or Ukraine, it would be Spain who topped group H. The Spanish made 11 changes from the side that overcame Tunisia, while Saudi Arabia restored goal-scoring legend Sami Al Jaber.

Unsurprisingly it was Spain who dominated the early exchange. Jose Reyes was fully committed to the cause as he looked to try and earn a place in the first choice Spain side, and it was he who had the best early chances. Joaquin played a ball over the box, and Reyes' touch took him inside the defender, but his shot rolled straight in to the arms of Mabrouk Zaid.

Joaquin was causing problems for the Asians, and Reyes won the ball back to from a defender to set him up on the edge of the box, but leaning back he rifled over. The Betis winger also made a wonderful weaving run through the heart of the Saudi team, but again his shot went over the bar. David Albelda had a wonderful flying effort saved low by Zaid, as it began to look like the Saudi's were simply relying on their 'keeper.

Reyes was again the main dangerman; he tried to place a cross beyond Zaid, but again it was too easy for the keeper, and his frustration was evident when he made two rash challenges in the space of a 2 minutes, but only picked up one yellow card. Spain finally took the lead on 36 minutes, through an unlikely source. Reyes finally came good as his perfectly flighted free-kick was powered home by the head of centre back Juanito, who had been untroubled in defence all game.

Saudi Arabia's only idea was to hit balls in to the corners, which Spain dealt with easily, and the pressure was great all half on their defence. Joaquin and Fabregas again came close before the half was out, but 1-0 was the score at half time.

Spain were a lot less dominant in the second half, as Saudi Arabia improved. Juanito again went close from another set-piece, and Joaquin and David Villa both had shots across the face of goal saved. Spain were getting a lot of joy down Saudi's right hand side, and with the introduction of Fernando Torres and Xavi, it for a while looked as though they would get another couple of goals.

However those goals never materialised and it was Saudi Arabia who looked most likely to get the final goal. Surprisingly it was the withdrawal of Al Jaber which prompted the attempted comeback, no sooner than he had left the pitch, Sulaimani lashed an effort at Canizares which the reserve 'keeper tipped round his post. The Asain side kept the ball for a few minutes but couldn't force an opportunity, As Al Temyat had appeals for a penalty ignored, the same man was then harshly ruled offside as he bore down on goal.

The best chance of the half then fell to Saad Al Harthi. Mohammed Noor beat Salgado, got to the byline in the area and pulled the ball back perfectly for Al Harthi. With the goal at his mercy, from the penalty spot, the striker some how contrived to blast the ball over the bar, and surely condemn his team to defeat. Saudi did manage a final effort though, Al Temyat again in action as his shot whistled past the far post, and two main just failed to get on the end of his angled drive. Spain held on, to finish the group with 3 wins out of 3.

Man Of The Match: Joaquin - showed dazzling ball skills throughout the match but was at his inspiring best in the first half. Should have scored on a few occasions, but it was often his own skill which set up the chances anyway, his speed and wing-play could be vital for Spain in the coming matches.

Referee: Coffi Codija
Venue: Fritz-Walter Stadium
Attendance: 46,000

ENGLAND v ECUADOR MATCH PROGRAMME

Ukraine v Tunisia

Ukraine over-came a stubborn Tunisia to ensure their place in the last sixteen, although a draw would have been enough anyway.

Tunisia had an early claim for a penalty turned away after just 8 minutes, and Ziad Jaziri was booked for his troubles, replays showed it was clear. The first half was preety uneventful; Shevchenko failed to connect with a volley from 10yards, and Vronin fired straight at Boumnijel. It was Ukraine's counter attacking football that was dominant, and Tunisia's plight was further increased when Jaziri was dismissed for his second yellow card, just before half-time.

With Tunisia unable to force any chances with just ten men, and Ukraine happy to sit back on their 0-0 'lead', there was a distinct lack of action in the second half. Tunisia did go close from a from a corner on 68 minutes, but straight back down the other end and Shevchenko earned a penalty after Karim Hugui hauled him down, and it was the Chelsea man who tucked away the penalty himself.

With time running out, Tunisia brought on two strikers, but it was Ukraine's Shelaiev who blazed over when in a good position as Ukraine sought to make the game safe. It was still the Europeans who were dominating, Tunisia put up no sort of resistance and left the competition with a whimper as the final whistle blew.

Referee: Carlos Amarilla
Venue: 72,000
Attendance: Olympiastadion

ENGLAND v ECUADOR MATCH PROGRAMME

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