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Backup G Canizares believes Spain can win World Cup
(Ticker)
Updated: 2006-06-06 09:16

MADRID, Spain - Spain backup goalkeeper Santiago Canizares accepts that his national side has developed a reputation as underachievers. But he believes the team can erase that with a World Cup title.

Canizares is the backup to Iker Casillas after an impressive season in goal for Valencia. Spain made it to the quarterfinals of the last World Cup but fell victim to some dubious refereeing in a loss to South Korea.

"We are fighting against history but we have a good team," Canizares said. "It is going to be a very even competition but we can win of course as we have quality in the team. We have to be concentrated in every game though as to underestimate is the biggest error in sport."

Canizares had been set to be the No. 1 goalie in 2002, but right before the start of the World Cup he suffered a freak injury when he dropped a bottle of cologne on his foot. Now he is Casillas' understudy.

"I get paid to work as I am a professional," Canizares said. "It is not important how I feel, what I have to do is be honest with the team and with myself. It is different for keepers, I cannot say whether I will have a chance to play, all I can do is work and enjoy the experience."

Spain coach Luis Aragones gave a mixed verdict on a 2-0 friendly victory over African champions Egypt on Saturday.

Aragones, speaking after goals by Raul and Jose Antonio Reyes had secured the victory, was measured in his praise.

"We will improve but I am generally pretty pleased although there are some things we will have to work on - that's normal," Aragones said. "There were moments in the first half when Egypt deserved to score but we also made errors in the second half. On the whole we deserved to win and a draw would probably have not been a fair result although Egypt is a decent team."

Raul slotted the ball home early on and then Reyes fired a fine long-range free-kick in the second half but it was by no means a comfortable game for Spain.

Aragones sees Raul as a vital member of the team, which will feature a three-man midfield.

The system so far has still to prove itself as Spain has struggled for goals, as was well demonstrated in a 0-0 draw against Russia.

Spain will open World Cup play in Group H against Ukraine on June 14 at Leipzig. Tunisia and Saudi Arabia are also in Group H. They will face each other in Munich on June 14.