Spain top Group H: Aragones unhappy

June 24th, 2006 | by: Nick O'Neill |

Spain topped Group H with a win over Saudi Arabia. Spain fielded many young players and looking at the table, you’d think the coach would be happy. Spain got 9 points out of 3 games, but Luis Aragones said his team crumbled in the second half (its a game of 2 halves).

“We have played badly in the second half,” said Aragones. “We created a lot in the opening half and we should have scored more goals.

“After the re-start my team crumbled and we were at the mercy of our rivals.

“My players told me that the heat was a factor but that is no excuse.”

Aragones was nevertheless satisfied with his team’s first-round games.

“I am happy to have taken nine points,” he said. “We have to keep our feet firmly in the ground, we are modestly happy but the tournament begins now. ”

A 1-0 win was less than most people expected and not being able to blast 5 past the Saudi’s one again puts a question mark over Spain’s finishing.

Spain arel ined up to face France on June 27th, another team that has trouble scoring.

Tags: Aragones, Germany 2006, Group H, Saudi Arabia, Spain, World Cup 2006

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 41 comments.

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By Ashlea | June 25th, 2006 at 6:08 am

With Fernando Torres’s fauxhawk mullet hairstyle, victory is ensured!! The ‘do screams, “I’m a bad ass mofo, surrender now or suffer eternally!” All it will take is a few whips of his radical mane and France will realize their impending doom!

But seriously, Spain is a force to be reckoned with despite strong disagreement from many. Between Torres, Raul, Ramos, Jaoquin and Villa, France is gonna get some hell brought to them! Personally, I can’t wait!

Posted from United States

By Diego | June 25th, 2006 at 8:24 am

I am somewhat astonished about such comments like this: “spaniards are disgusting… racist pigs packing with their racist fans”.

Perhaps you guy had a bad experience with some spanish specimen of your same educational level.

I guess your parents did not teach you how to keep your rude mouth clean.

Posted from Spain

By shuai | June 25th, 2006 at 1:18 pm

diego : totaly agree with you.

“Spaniards are disgusting” has nothing to do with football.

fortunately, players know that.

It will be a good game, and now its 50/50.
Hope it won’t be a game like “niggers Vs ispinguins”

Posted from France

By Abz | June 25th, 2006 at 1:51 pm

hey i no french guy why dont you get bake to making bread the only thing that french are good at!

Posted from United Kingdom

By shuai | June 25th, 2006 at 3:50 pm

“hey i no french guy why dont you get bake to making bread the only thing that french are good at!

Posted from United Kingdom”

…

So your mother could get in deep in her ass?

Posted from France

By Fredi | June 25th, 2006 at 3:54 pm

With “El Sabio” and a telented group of young players on the field, Spain is now worthy of the nickname “La Furia” and should be able to send France back over the border on Tuesday…

Posted from United States

By shuai | June 25th, 2006 at 4:10 pm

Sure, Spain is able.
But France is able as well.

Posted from France

By Ashlea | June 25th, 2006 at 4:46 pm

Shuai- Clearly, you haven’t seen Torres and his hair? I’m sorry to inform you, but France has no chance against hair like that. I’m sure they’ll put up a good effort and all, but a win for France just isn’t going to happen.

Posted from United States

By Roland | June 25th, 2006 at 5:07 pm

shuai,

You appear to be reasonably lucid, so I will respomnd.

There’s no question the French have the talent, but I question their desire. Much will depend on which Spanish and French teams decide to show up. They both have the ability to win.

The French clearly have a psychological advantage, based on experience and tradition.

Spain as a team, however, are much faster, more conditioned, and hungrier, so much hungrier. They also have some payback to dish out to Les Bleus.

In the final analysis, France is the team of yesterday, and Spain is the team of today. Also, our hair is cooler.

¡Qué vence España! ¡Viva La Furia Roja!

Posted from United States

By Ashlea | June 25th, 2006 at 5:53 pm

Well said Roland!!! It’s simple, Spain wants it more! Plus, everyone wants to have wild animal sex with Spain’s hair! I know I do! I’ve checked the French roster… they got nothing!

Posted from United States

By shuai | June 25th, 2006 at 5:56 pm

Lol, unfortunaltely, Zizou can’t do a thing with his hair…

Sure, this french team is old and play its last WC. But you know how football is, there’s no victory before you play.
Let’s players talk for now…

Good luck Furia Roja and good luck frenchies!!

Joga bonito!!

Posted from France

By Roland | June 25th, 2006 at 6:12 pm

Rooney needs to watch that borderer temper of his, it’s going to cost his team.

Posted from United States

By Roland | June 25th, 2006 at 6:13 pm

Hah, oops, sorry, wrong blog!

Posted from United States

By Satheesh | June 26th, 2006 at 9:30 am

On the positive side:
1. Spain won all the matches in group stage. Scoring 8 goals in 3 matches is not bad at all.

2. Reyes, Fabregas, Joaquin proved they are worthy of a place in starting line up.

On the flop side:
The domination is not getting reflected in the score board, as is evident from the Saudi match and the warm up matches.

The team should be able convert whatever chances that comes its way against the bigger sides.

Posted from India

By Ricardo | June 27th, 2006 at 1:04 am

This is Spain’s year. In the hands of Aragones, Spain will go far. And france has been playing bad this cup, so Spain should be able to beat France, although anything can happen.

Posted from United States

By jack | June 27th, 2006 at 1:05 am

Get a life Guys.
Spain have never one annything exept at club level with 10 foreign players in each team

Posted from France

By minhoca | June 27th, 2006 at 1:02 pm

VIVA LA RECONQUISTA!

Posted from United States

By Terence | June 28th, 2006 at 12:36 am

France scored 0 goals in their 1st game, 1 in their second, 2 in their third, maybe they’ll score 3 in their fourth !!!

Posted from France

By Terence | June 28th, 2006 at 12:38 am

Update.

They just did !!!!!!!!!!!

Posted from France

By Zelia | June 28th, 2006 at 11:06 am

FRANCE WON WE ARE THE BEST what do you say about that?
That we are weak? Spain is weak now

It was a good game…

Posted from France

By nono | June 28th, 2006 at 11:23 am

L’Ours et les deux Compagnons

Deux compagnons pressés d’argent
A leur voisin Fourreur vendirent
La peau d’un Ours encor vivant,
Mais qu’ils tueraient bientôt, du moins à ce qu’ils dirent.
C’était le Roi des Ours au compte de ces gens.
Le Marchand à sa peau devait faire fortune.
Elle garantirait des froids les plus cuisants,
On en pourrait fourrer plutôt deux robes qu’une.
Dindenaut prisait moins ses Moutons qu’eux leur Ours :
Leur, à leur compte, et non à celui de la Bête.
S’offrant de la livrer au plus tard dans deux jours,
Ils conviennent de prix, et se mettent en quête,
Trouvent l’Ours qui s’avance, et vient vers eux au trot.
Voilà mes gens frappés comme d’un coup de foudre.
Le marché ne tint pas ; il fallut le résoudre :
D’intérêts contre l’Ours, on n’en dit pas un mot.
L’un des deux Compagnons grimpe au faîte d’un arbre ;
L’autre, plus froid que n’est un marbre,
Se couche sur le nez, fait le mort, tient son vent,
Ayant quelque part ouï dire
Que l’Ours s’acharne peu souvent
Sur un corps qui ne vit, ne meut, ni ne respire.
Seigneur Ours, comme un sot, donna dans ce panneau.
Il voit ce corps gisant, le croit privé de vie,
Et de peur de supercherie
Le tourne, le retourne, approche son museau,
Flaire aux passages de l’haleine.
C’est, dit-il, un cadavre ; Otons-nous, car il sent.
A ces mots, l’Ours s’en va dans la forêt prochaine.
L’un de nos deux Marchands de son arbre descend,
Court à son compagnon, lui dit que c’est merveille
Qu’il n’ait eu seulement que la peur pour tout mal.
Eh bien, ajouta-t-il, la peau de l’animal ?
Mais que t’a-t-il dit à l’oreille ?
Car il s’approchait de bien près,
Te retournant avec sa serre.
- Il m’a dit qu’il ne faut jamais.
Vendre la peau de l’Ours qu’on ne l’ait mis par terre.

Posted from France

By suniis | June 28th, 2006 at 7:39 pm

just to set the record straight:
1- both teams could have won that game.
2- arrogance does not pay.
3- Spain has once again failed.
4- France has once again proved that they are not dead yet
5- Spanish people arent racist, but Aragones is, and the Spanish federation as well for not firing him after what he said about Henry.

Done and Done.

Posted from Canada

By bumblebee | June 29th, 2006 at 9:11 am

OH thank GOD Spain is gone what a bunch of losers! RACIST PIGS

Posted from United States

By bumblebee | June 29th, 2006 at 9:12 am

Spanish people are racist, mabey not all but a large majority.
Roberto Carlos,Palo wanchope,Eto,black english players all have sufferd abuse by Spainish fans and they did the same thing to France before the game making monkey chants when they came on the field and booing them during the anthem,there is an article out ther somewhere regarding this i think its so disrespectful and disgusting.So glad the low class is gone.

Posted from United States

By Aisyah | July 3rd, 2006 at 9:59 am

WHAT………..England out,Thy are weak team now.I can`t belife thy lose againt portugal,because thy have so many talented player like Gerrad,Lampard,Joe.Cole and Terry.So dont cry England fan,try againt in 2010.Congratulation to portugal.i think thy will win world cup ths year.By the way..I love u Izzat..he..he..Go portugal

Posted from Brunei Darussalam