Torres ends drought against South Korea
Reuters - Wednesday 30 May 2012, 21:20
Striker Fernando Torres, who
scraped into Spain's Euro 2012 squad by the skin of his teeth,
celebrated by ending a year-long goal drought for his country in
a 4-1 friendly win over South Korea on Wednesday.
Torres, complimented by coach Vicente del Bosque afterwards,
gave Spain a 11th minute lead although South Korea then gave
them a fright when Kim Do-Heong - who plays for National Police
Agency - rifled an equaliser a minute before half-time.
A Xabi Alonso penalty and a Santi Cazorla free-kick in a
four-minute spell early in the second half put Spain back in
control and Alvaro Negredo, who like Torres just make the cut,
added a fourth.
It was not all plain sailing for the world and European
champions as South Korea, themselves warming up for a pair of
World Cup qualifiers, exposed some gaps in the Spanish rearguard
in the first half.
Torres' place at Euro 2012 next month looked to be in danger
when his erratic form for Chelsea and Spain led him to be
dropped from the squad for a friendly against Venezuela earlier
this year.
But his Champions League semi-final goal for Chelsea against
Barcelona, when he broke from his own half to score the goal
that made the tie safe for the Premier League side, helped swing
the pendulum back in his favour.
Given another chance, Torres looked sharp from the outset,
deflecting Santi Cazorla's shot just wide after two minutes.
The 28-year-old forward put Spain ahead when he got behind
the South Korea defence to meet a long Benat cross into the area
with a backwards header which flew into the net.
It was his first goal since he hit the target in a 4-0
friendly win over the United States on June 4 last year and the
28th of his international career.
"He is one of those players who brings us speed, draws
markers away, never stands still, and gets into positions to
receive passes behind the back line," said Del Bosque, who is
without the injured David Villa for the tournament. "Fernando is
very happy to be here, he's euphoric."
Spain, still without their contingent of Barcelona and
Athletic Bilbao players after they were involved in the King's
Cup final last Friday, completely dominated possession for the
next 15 minutes, barely letting South Korea out of their half.
HELPLESS REINA
Benat was especially impressive and on Wednesday's
performance can consider himself unlucky to be among the players
who missed the cut for Poland and Ukraine.
After the half-hour mark, the Koreans began finding gaps in
the Spanish defence and, having already caused a couple of
scares, levelled just before the break.
Kim was left free on the edge of the area and rifled a
25-metre shot past the helpless Pepe Reina.
Spain quickly regained control after Ignacio Monreal's shot
was handled by a defender and Xabi Alonso converted the
resulting penalty in the 52nd minute.
Four minutes later, midfielder Santi Cazorla scored with a
low free-kick which went under the Korean wall.
Negredo, included in the squad at the expense of Valencia's
Roberto Soldado, fired the fourth with an angled shot with 10
minutes left.
Spain, who beat Serbia 2-0 in St Gallen on Saturday, have
spent one week training in the Austrian Alps, bringing in
several younger players to make up for the absence of the
Barcelona contingent.
Del Bosque said it was worthwhile, even though players such
as Benat, Soldado and Adrian Lopez had to be cut from the squad.
"We've have very good days for training, no injuries, we
have great relationships within the group, everyone has been
extraordinary," said Del Bosque.
"This has been more than a mere preparation, we have planted
roots for the future with these players."
Spain start the defence of their European crown against
Group C rivals Italy on June 10 before also taking on Ireland
and Croatia.