UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifier: Liechtenstein 0-2 vs. Spain – Half Time Report
The Spanish side, after winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup, are now going to head on to another campaign as they attempt to qualify for the European Championship that is going to take place in 2012.
During the first half of the Liechtenstein vs. Spain match, Spain showed total domination. The game kicked off with Spain's "tiki-taka" football as they passed the ball around and kept the possession of the ball. The result was obviously there as the other team did not get the ball and Liechtenstein players could barely keep up with the pace of the World Champions.
The Spaniards kept the ball to themselves and worked well on the theory that their opponents cannot score until they have the ball. Spaniards were trying to attack on each and every chance, while Liechtenstein were on the back-foot and were trying to defend the goal time and time again.
Vicente Del Bosque played his first-team during the first match, to give everyone a clear message that he really wanted to win it and even win the European Championship. The Spanish side featured their number 1 goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, who was wearing the captain's armband. Sergio Ramos featured as a right-back and Gerard Pique and Marchena were the players who played as centre-backs. Capdevila featured as a left-back while Sergio Busquets and Xabi Alonso were the two players who featured as permanent holding midfielders. Xavi featured as a steady centre midfielder while Iniesta was the player who kept on floating from left wing to right wing. David Villa and Torres were deployed as strikers to finish the ball into the net.
Liechtenstein also wanted to feature their best team for the "big game" against the World Champions. Peter Jehle was the player who stood between the two posts while Yves, Martin, Michael Stocklasa and Lucas Eberle featured as the four defenders of the team. Coach Hans-Peter Zaugg was playing a 4-3-3 formation and the three midfielders were Burgmeier, Wieser and Polverino who tried to assist the three strikers David Hasler, Erne and Mario Frick.
The World Champions totally dominated the game and took first blood in the 17th minute. It was the "out of form" Fernando Torres who got a wonderful opportunity after a wonderful pass from Xavi and was able to score the goal with his stronger right foot. Later, in the 26th minute, David Villa managed to confirm the lead by scoring the second goal for the Spanish side to make the score 2-0.
After scoring two goals, the Spanish side kept on attacking and passing the ball as they continued with their "tiki-taka" football. Xavi was able to run from D to D to help the team with the attacks and the defence, while Sergio Busquets and Xabi Alonso were great help for him as they used to fall back behind him to aid him with the passing. Xavi Hernandez was able to complete 90% of the passes and he was definitely playing another outstanding game for his country.
Torres showed that he was finally back in form as he managed to score a goal and also managed to outrun many defenders with his amazing pace, which was pretty much lost during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. David Villa wasn't silent at all as he kept on trying on goals as well. After the 36th minute, it was all Spain and their amazing through balls inside the 18 yard box, as they kept on penetrating Liechtenstein's defensive walls and kept finding gaps between them. It was Xavi and Iniesta who provided the attackers with beautiful through balls while David Villa and Torres were busy trying to score goals.
In the first half, the World Champions showed total domination and gave a clear message to the rest of the teams that they are in it to win it.
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