Bisnis.com, JAKARTA – The Spanish national team, under the tutelage of Luis Enrique, have ambitions to repeat their success by bringing home the World Cup trophy like the title in South Africa 12 years ago.
In the 2010 World Cup, Xavi Hernandez, Andreas Iniesta, Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas, the football stars of that era managed to lead their country’s national team to victory.
At that time, his squad, made up mostly of Barcelona players under Pep Guardiola, practiced a tiki-taka style of football (long-range possession and short-passing techniques) when playing for Spain.
Now, after 12 years, the Spanish national team led by Enrique is ready to become a contender in the title race in the football tournament that will take place in winter and in the Middle East for the first time.
The Spanish football team, currently ranked seventh in the world (according to FIFA rankings as of October 6), is in Group E, alongside Korta Rica, Germany and Japan.
Looking at the competition in the group, the Spain vs Germany game has become the most interesting game of the group stage. The two countries met in the 2008 European Cup final in Austria. At that time, La Roja won 1-0, in which both teams played poorly.
The Spanish and German national teams are the favorites as the teams that will qualify from Group D. However, Costa Rica and Japan should present a formidable challenge as they try to regain their form in the big tournaments.
If Spain win Group E, they will face Group F runners-up Belgium, Canada, Morocco and Croatia. Meanwhile, if they become group runners-up, Luis Enrique’s side will face the winner of Group F.
In addition, if they manage to qualify for the quarter-finals, Spain have the opportunity to face Brazil and Portugal from group G or H. Then, to reach the final, they may have to overtake France, reigning champion.
Spanish key player
The current Spanish national team is a mix of experienced and young players. Enrique thinks that kind of team mix is best for his team.
“After a period of doubts and questions, we now have a team of young players and some veterans who can take on any opponent,” Enrique said in March.
“I see my team as a team capable of reaching the World Cup final. We aspire to be competitive and to be a formidable opponent,” he said.
The 2022 World Cup will most likely be the last major tournament for captain, Sergio Busquets.
He was part of the squad that won the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012. He is looking to make his mark on the world stage one last time after making 138 appearances for the national side so far.
The Spanish national team is also inhabited by a young player, Gavi. Even though he is only 18 years old, the player who plays as a centre-forward has already made 11 appearances for the national team. It is predicted that he will be a football legend in the future.
Besides the two players, Jordi Alba and Koke, they are believed to always be Enrique’s mainstay, if their condition is good. Alvaro Morata, who is also still in good form, will still get his place in the national team. Pedri’s young players will not be outdone either.
La Roja are expected to be able to make a big impact in Qatar if they manage to qualify from the group stage. In their last appearance at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the Spanish national team could only reach the round of 16, having failed to qualify for the group stage in 2014.
Spain National Team Squad Prediction for 2022 World Cup:
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon, Robert Sanchez and David Raya
Defenders: Cesar Azpilicueta, Dani Carvajal, Diego, Llorente, Eric Garcia, Pau Torres, Jordi Alba, Jose Luis Gaya and Hugo Guillamon
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Rodri, Gavi, Pedri, Carlos Soler, Koke and Marcos Llorente
Forwards: Pablo Sarabia, Nico Williams, Marco Asensio, Alvaro Morata, Ferran Torres, Yeremy Pino, Villarreal and Borja Iglesias.
Spain national team profile:
Full name: Spain national football team
Nicknames: La Roja, La Furia Roja
Confederation: UEFA (Europe)
Coach: Luis Enrique
Captain: Sergio Busquets
Top scorer: David Villa (59 goals)
Most appearances: Sergio Ramos (180)
Stage: Various
FIFA Code: ESP
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