Torres sparks Spain, Holland scare World Soccer Shop

Fernando Torres scored on his return to the fold as Spain continued their preparations for Euro 2012 with a 4-1 win over South Korea in Bern.

Torres: Is congratulated after scoring the opener

The Chelsea forward opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a neatly flicked header from Benat Etxebarria's fine cross. However, a wonder strike from Kim Do-Heon brought the Koreans level two minutes before half-time.

Xabi Alonso quickly restored the World and European champions' lead after the break from the penalty spot after Choi Hyo-Jin handled Nacho Monreal's shot and Santi Cazorla's clever free-kick extended their advantage four minutes later.

Vicente del Bosque then made a raft of substitutions and two of the replacements combined for the fourth with 11 minutes remaining as Roberto Soldado's throughball was smashed home by Alvaro Negredo.

Holland suffered two injury scares ahead of Euro 2012 as Wilfred Bouma and Wesley Sneijder were forced off during a 2-0 home victory over Slovakia in Rotterdam.

PSV Eindhoven centre-back Bouma had to be substituted after a collision in the first minute when he and defensive colleague Johnny Heitinga clashed heads. Feyenoord's Ron Vlaar was Bouma's replacement, while Heitinga was comfortable enough to stay on the pitch.

Ibrahim Afellay helped to put Holland in front after seven minutes when the Barcelona forward, who returned to action only last month after a serious knee injury, produced a tricky run along the left and his low cross prompted Slovakia defender Kornel Salata to put the ball into his own goal.

Sneijder suffered an ankle knock in the 51st minute, with Holland boss Bert van Marwijk wanting to take no further risk with such a key player.

Rafael van der Vaart doubled Holland's lead after 75 minutes with a precise low right-footed shot from 15 yards across goalkeeper Jan Mucha and into the left corner.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a fantastic opening goal and set up the second as Sweden held on for a 3-2 victory in their first Euro 2012 warm-up match against Iceland.

The AC Milan striker broke the deadlock in the second minute before teeing up Ola Toivonen 12 minutes later at the Gamla Ullevi in Gothenburg.

Kolbeinn Sigthorsson narrowed the deficit in the 27th minute and although Christian Wilhelmsson restored the two-goal advantage, Hallgrimur Jonasson's stoppage-time strike ensured a nervy finale.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17485/torres_sparks_spain__holland_scare

International friendly: Spain 4 South Korea 1

Spain continued their preparations for Euro 2012 with a comfortable 4-1 victory over South Korea at Stade de Suisse in Switzerland on Wednesday.

Spain got off to a good start, and nearly found the net just five minutes into the match when Santiago Cazorla’s blast at goal deflected off Fernando Torres, only for the ball to creep agonisingly by the post.

The early pressure from Vicente Del Bosque’s side paid off just five minutes later when Benat’s fizzed cross from the left-hand side was met by Torres inside the area, and the Chelsea man did well to nod the ball past South Korea goalkeeper Jin-Hyeon Kim.

Jin-Hyeon was a busy man in the opening 45 minutes and kept his side in the match with a couple of accomplished saves, denying both Cazorla and Xabi Alonso.

South Korea almost equalised in the 20th minute when Kim Jung-Woo skipped past a couple of challenges before lashing a shot inches past Jose Reina’s.

South Korea continued to probe for their opening goal and it eventually came a minute before half-time through a stunning Do-Heon Kim strike. The midfielder picked up the ball on the left hand side before smashing a fierce strike from 25 yards into the top corner.

Spain reclaimed the lead in the 53rd minute when Yong-Hyung Cho blocked a Nacho Monreal strike on goal with his hand inside the box. Xabi Alonso stepped up to coolly dispatch the penalty.

Del Bosque’s men kicked on after their second goal, and were able to add a third just three minutes later through a Cazorla free-kick. The Malaga playmaker showed outstanding initiative to fire a strike under the Korean wall from his set-piece on the edge of the box, giving Spain a two-goal lead.

The South Koreans kept up their spirits, however, and came close to grabbing a goal back when Ja-Cheol Koo went on a bursting run through the middle of the Spanish defence, only to smash his eventual shot on to the post.

Cerezo Osaka goalkeeper Jin-Hyeon continued to keep the score respectable with a number of brilliant saves in the second half, denying Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo twice.

Negredo did eventually find a goal for Spain in the 78th minute when Roberto Soldado sent his compatriot through on goal and the substitute scored with a well-taken finish.

Spain’s final Euro 2012 warm up comes this weekend when they take on China in Seville before they head to Poland and Ukraine.

South Korea’s next encounter is also of large importance as they take on Qatar in World Cup 2014 qualifying.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/international-friendly-spain-4-south-korea-1/95549/

International friendly preview: Spain v South Korea

Spain continue their Euro 2012 preparations with a friendly against South Korea at the Tivoli Neu Stadium in Austria on Wednesday.

Since accounting for Serbia 2-0 at the weekend, Vicente del Bosque has named his 23-man squad for next month’s championships.

There are four members missing from the Spanish squad that triumphed over Germany to win the 2008 European championships – Carlos Marchena, Joan Capdevilla and injured pair Carles Puyol and David Silva.

Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo, who netted 14 goals during the 2011/12 La Liga season, was included, along with Barcelona’s Pedro.

Atletico Madrid striker Adrian Lopez was a surprise omission, despite turning in an impressive substitute display in Saturday’s 2-0 friendly victory against Serbia, with Valencia marksman Roberto Soldado also missing out.

Cesc Fabregas has been told to rest for up to ten days after straining his right thigh muscle in Barcelona’s Copa del Rey success and won’t be risked against South Korea.

Following Wednesday’s match, Spain face China in Seville before opening their Euro 2012 campaign against Italy on June 11.

For South Korea’s first match since defeating Kuwait in 2-0 in a February World Cup qualifier, Arsenal Striker Park Chu-Young has been left out of the 26-man squad that is also due to play two World Cup qualifiers against Qatar on June 8 and Lebanon on June 13.

South Korea boss Choi Kang-Hee has included Koo Ja-Cheol (Wolfsburg), Son Heung-Min (Hamburg) and Ji Dong-Won (Sunderland), who missed February’s 2-0 World Cup qualifier victory over Kuwait.

Fellow European-based players Ki Sung-Yeung (Celtic) and Park Joo-Ho (FC Basel) were also named.

But there was no room for Bolton midfielder Lee Chung-Yong despite making two substitute appearances late in the season after recovering from a broken leg.

The remainder of the squad consists of 14 players based in the K-League, four in the J-League and three in the Qatar Stars League.

In four previous meetings, Spain have prevailed twice but the 31st-ranked Koreans claimed a dramatic victory on penalties to advance to the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup held in South Korea and Japan.

However, Spain won the nations’ most recent encounter – last June – courtesy of Jesus Navas’ goal four minutes from time.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/international-friendly-preview-spain-v-south-korea/95438/

Ji ready to make international impact

Striker Ji Dong-Won will try to fill the void left by Park Chu-Young when South Korea play Spain, Qatar and Lebanon.

The Arsenal striker was left out of coach Choi Kang-Hee’s squad for the matches due to his ongoing military service saga with many fans criticising Park for his decision to defer his compulsory duty after obtaining a 10-year Monaco residency permit.

Sunderland striker Ji, 20, admitted the absence of Park, who scored eight goals in consecutive five internationals last year, will create a ‘void’ but is hopeful he can fill it.

“Of course I feel the pressure and responsibility. But the players will discuss with each other how to minimise the damage,” Ji told reporters.

Ji said the former national team captain’s absence was something he had never envisaged.

“Actually, I’ve never imagined national team without him,” he said.

“A definite starting member is omitted. But the rest of us should fill the void.”

The former Chunnam Dragons striker, who made 21 first-team appearances and scored two goals in his first season in English football, said he was concerned by his lack of match fitness.

“I’m glad to be called to the national team by coach Choi Kang-Hee for the first time,” he said.

“I have not played many games this season so I’m little bit worried about my form.

“But I’ve kept worked hard and I’m going to keep doing it here with familar faces I know.

“I think I’ve gained something from the year. I’ve seen much, heard much and learned much.

“I can’t say exactly what it is but I’m definitely better in every way. I just want to show it to fans.”

South Korea tackle Spain in a friendly in Switzerland on May 30 before World Cup qualifiers against Qatar (June and Lebanon (June 13).

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/ji-ready-to-make-international-impact/95072/