Del Bosque warns Spain must improve

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Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque has warned the UEFA EURO 2008 winners they are set for more FIFA World Cup™ heartache against Chile on Friday unless they improve on their 2-0 win over Honduras. Del Bosque said he was unimpressed with Monday's victory at Ellis Park as Spain got their FIFA World Cup back on track after their opening shock 1-0 defeat to Switzerland in Group H.

Goals either side of half-time by new Barcelona signing David Villa made sure of the three points, but they wasted numerous chances - as well as missing a penalty - against a limited Honduras and now face group leaders Chile, who have won both their games.

"We will suffer if we continue to play like that," said Del Bosque, whose side had 22 shots on goal, compared to the Hondurans' nine. "I think we paved the way to play against Chile, but it wasn't a great match. We had many opportunities to score and should have won by more, so I am not entirely satisfied. We lacked the finishing touch just as we did against the Swiss. This was a more open team and a vulnerable side, we should have done better."

Despite his two flashes of brilliance, Villa missed his chance to claim a hat-trick in the second-half with a squandered penalty. Liverpool striker Fernando Torres had a quiet 70 minutes before being taken off while Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas came on for the last 20.

"Fernando is a great player, he really knows how to play to the limits of offside," said Del Bosque. "He has just recovered from an injury, let's hope in the next game he can do some more sterling work. Cesc came on when we were 2-0 up and he contributed with great quality."

We lacked the finishing touch just as we did against the Swiss.

Vicente del Bosque, Spain coach

Del Bosque admitted he is wary of Chile who have already recorded 1-0 wins over both Honduras and Switzerland. "We know Chile are a good side. They are active and quite aggressive, they get to the goal quickly and don't waste much energy," he said. "They are like all these Latin American sides who are playing a brilliant World Cup so far."

Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda admitted his side were out-classed and will need to raise their game if they stand a chance of claiming a consolation win over Switzerland on Friday, who can still qualify. "Spain surprised us with Villa's early goal and we also lacked conviction in our play," he said.

"They are masters on the pitch, they have matured and we faced a team who were vastly superior. We paid dearly for the second goal and Spain never make mistakes, they are perfect in their technique and in one move they can eliminate four or five players.

"It will be a tough match against Switzerland, they are a good side and we will need to play very well to beat them."

Source: fifa.com