SPORTS> Team News
Spain's blunt offense raises worries
(AP)
Updated: 2006-05-29 11:00

MADRID, Spain -- Spanish media fretted Sunday over the national team's lack of firepower during a scoreless draw with Russia in a World Cup warmup.

With Saturday's match at Carlos Belmonte Stadium coming just 17 days before Spain's opening World Cup Group H match against Ukraine, some newspapers said time was running short for Luis Aragones' team to improve.

"It isn't good news not to score against Russia, a poor team which hasn't made the World Cup, doesn't have a single well-known player, and seems to be a pale shadow of Ukraine," said national El Pais.

"A sad Spain couldn't improve on a draw," ran the headline of sports daily Marca's Web site, while another sports paper, As, responded with "Blind finishers"

However, Aragones praised Spain for its effort against a team which "played with nine players back in the second half and was very good defensively."

"Spain was the better team. I liked the attitude, some areas of play, and we did some good things. We only made a couple of tactical mistakes, particularly in the first half," said Aragones, who extended his undefeated run to 20 matches since taking charge nearly two years ago.

Spain started with three forwards -- Luis Garcia, David Villa and Fernando Torres -- but soon faded.

Spain's all-time leading scorer, Raul Gonzalez, was included among six second-half substitutes, but the Real Madrid captain stretched his scoring drought by missing two chances. Raul last netted in October.

"He did good things but he was unlucky. In his work, he looked very good," Aragones said.

Spain's teenage midfielder, Cesc Fabregas, who made his second international appearance, said the team did "more good things than bad ones."

"It's obvious that we lacked goals and chances, but it's also true that in both halves we had the ball and that's very important," Fabregas said.

Spain, which has never won the World Cup, entertains Egypt in Elche on June 3 and completes preparations against Croatia in Geneva, Switzerland, four days later.