Spain pairing with Netherlands odd: Casillas
9 Dec 2013 5:31 AM IST
Spain, who will play the Dutch in their opening Group B match in Salvador on June 13, were one of eight seeded teams in pot one for Friday’s draw, while Netherlands were in pot four along with eight other non-seeded European sides.
The seeds were decided based on the October FIFA rankings and as well as Spain included hosts Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Colombia, Belgium, Switzerland and Uruguay. Casillas told a news conference organised by his club Real Madrid to discuss the draw he agreed that it was odd that the champions would have to play the nation they beat in the previous final in their first match.
They go on to meet Group B rivals Chile in Rio De Janeiro on June 18 and Australia in Curitiba five days later. ‘Sometimes it is hard to understand very well the way draw is done,’ Casillas said. ‘I do not agree with the format,’ the Real goalkeeper added. ‘But when all is said and done we are not the ones who decide which teams are better than others.’ ‘The draw was tough,’ Casillas said.
‘It includes the runners-up from last time who had a magnificent qualifying campaign.
Real Madrid held by lowly Xativa in Cup
MADRID: Real Madrid badly missed the firepower of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale as they were held 0-0 away to third tier Olimpic Xativa in the first-leg of their Copa del Rey fourth round tie on Saturday.
With Ronaldo suspended following his red card in last year’s final defeat to Atletico Madrid and Bale left in the Spanish capital due to the flu, Real boss Carlo Ancelotti handed starts to young forwards Alvaro Morata and Jese Rodriguez.
However, the Spanish under-21 duo failed to impress as Real failed to find the net for just the second time this season. After a first-half devoid of clear-cut chances, Madrid improved markedly after the break as Isco and Morata both wastefully fired wide when presented with good sights of goal.Atletico Madrid began their defence of the title with an comfortable 4-0 win away to Sant Andreu.
Goals from Raul Garcia and David Villa either side of an Arda Turan double mean that Atletico can already start planning for the last 16 in January. ‘The commitment of the team was very good,’ said boss Diego Simeone. ‘We handled the game very well and the result is obviously a very good one.’
The seeds were decided based on the October FIFA rankings and as well as Spain included hosts Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Colombia, Belgium, Switzerland and Uruguay. Casillas told a news conference organised by his club Real Madrid to discuss the draw he agreed that it was odd that the champions would have to play the nation they beat in the previous final in their first match.
They go on to meet Group B rivals Chile in Rio De Janeiro on June 18 and Australia in Curitiba five days later. ‘Sometimes it is hard to understand very well the way draw is done,’ Casillas said. ‘I do not agree with the format,’ the Real goalkeeper added. ‘But when all is said and done we are not the ones who decide which teams are better than others.’ ‘The draw was tough,’ Casillas said.
‘It includes the runners-up from last time who had a magnificent qualifying campaign.
Real Madrid held by lowly Xativa in Cup
MADRID: Real Madrid badly missed the firepower of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale as they were held 0-0 away to third tier Olimpic Xativa in the first-leg of their Copa del Rey fourth round tie on Saturday.
With Ronaldo suspended following his red card in last year’s final defeat to Atletico Madrid and Bale left in the Spanish capital due to the flu, Real boss Carlo Ancelotti handed starts to young forwards Alvaro Morata and Jese Rodriguez.
However, the Spanish under-21 duo failed to impress as Real failed to find the net for just the second time this season. After a first-half devoid of clear-cut chances, Madrid improved markedly after the break as Isco and Morata both wastefully fired wide when presented with good sights of goal.Atletico Madrid began their defence of the title with an comfortable 4-0 win away to Sant Andreu.
Goals from Raul Garcia and David Villa either side of an Arda Turan double mean that Atletico can already start planning for the last 16 in January. ‘The commitment of the team was very good,’ said boss Diego Simeone. ‘We handled the game very well and the result is obviously a very good one.’
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