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World Cup 2010: Spain's Carles Puyol pledges cool approach
Spain V Honduras
CARLES Puyol accepts today’s World Cup group match with Honduras is like a “final” for the European champions after their shock opening-game defeat by Switzerland.
Spain need a win to get their campaign back on track and Puyol is confident the team will this time live up to its lofty reputation.
Reassuring supporters that the players will not cave in under the pressure, Barcelona captain Puyol said: “We want to feel cool and calm, to not be anxious and to play the football we know we can play.
“It is an extremely important match – like a final. We know we have to come out winning. To do that we have to be very respectful of our opponent and we hope to have a good match.”
National coach Vicente Del Bosque reported no injuries other than an undisclosed problem for Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta, which he expected would rule him out of the match.
Del Bosque has come in for criticism following the defeat by Switzerland but, like Puyol, is confident the side can prosper under the increased pressure.
He said: “Our players are experienced, they are used to high-level competition and I prefer these matches that are very intense.
“I don’t think we will change our game at all in terms of what we’ve been doing over the last two years. We have to be more accurate in terms of finishing but, in terms of moving the ball, we will follow the same style.”