Tanaka shines Russia draw as NY Yankees with South 16thump Toronto 19Korea 1-1 THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 2014 5 problems jeopardizing Brazil World Cup hopes Page 18 Spain crash out of World Cup Chile prove too hot to handle; Spain’s reign ends RIO DE JANEIRO: Holders Spain were sensationally sent Ange Postecoglou paid tribute to his team after the loss. “I just crashing out of the World Cup with a 2-0 defeat to Chile wanted the players to get the reward for the way they went yesterday, the earliest exit by the reigning champions for about things today,” said Postecoglou. “I have put a lot of 5 reasons it went 64 years. On a day when King Juan Carlos tearfully pressure on the players and the staff that we are going to sealed his abdication after a four-decade reign, Spain’s be a certain type of team and take it to world class oppo- players were booted off their throne in 90 minutes after sition, but it is one thing saying it and another thing wrong for Spain six years as the dominant force of world football. Chile’s doing it. “They did that today but didn’t get their reward. Eduardo Vargas and Charles Aranguiz administered the It’s heartbreaking and massively disappointing.” RIO DE JANEIRO: Spain became the country rather than his native Brazil, it killer blows as a trophy-laden Spanish era was brought Elsewhere yesterday, in Group A, Cameroon and Croatia, fifth holders to be eliminated from the was inevitable that the Atletico Madrid to a shattering end at the Maracana Stadium. beaten by Mexico and Brazil respectively in their World Cup at the first stage after their star would have to be brought into the Chile’s victory sees them qualify for the last 16 from openers, met in Manaus where defeat for 2-0 defeat by Chile at the Maracana starting line-up. However, Spain have Group B along with the Netherlands, who thrashed either side will mean the end of their yesterday. Here AFP Sports looks at not done enough to help the bruising Spain 5-1 in their opening match last week. Australia, last-16 hopes. Croatia are still bitter five reasons why it all went wrong for centre-forward fit into their style of beaten 3-2 by the Netherlands earlier yesterday, join from their opening loss to Brazil the holders in Brazil. play. He needs balls into space if he is Spain as the other team to be knocked out. Spain’s early in which they had a goal con- to have an impact, but too often he departure will send shockwaves through football after troversially disallowed while Sticking with the old-timers appeared utterly marooned against an unprecedented period of success that saw them win the hosts won a dubious After the 5-1 defeat against the Chile and their three central defenders. the 2010 World Cup as well as back-to-back European penalty. — AFP Netherlands, coach Vicente del Bosque He looked ill at ease too, and Brazilians Championships in 2008 and 2012. was forced to react and chose to drop unhappy that he snubbed the Selecao They arrived at the World Cup as one of the favourites both Xavi Hernandez and Gerard greeted him with loud jeers both in after a qualifying campaign which gave no clue of the Pique, replacing them with Pedro Salvador and in Rio de Janeiro. looming disaster in Brazil. But Rodriguez and Javi Martinez. However, instead they they join Italy it would appear that the rejuvenation Failure to adapt (1950 and 2010), Brazil (1966) of the Spain squad should have begun In general, Spain have been guilty of and France (2002) as the only sooner. A player like Atletico Madrid keeping too much faith in a system holders to be knocked out in midfielder Koke, full of energy and that worked so well in past campaigns. the first phase. Not since desire, was introduced to the side too La Roja’s way of playing has been built Italy in 1950 have the late. And the decision to keep faith in around the Barcelona way that deliv- holders been knocked Iker Casillas proved to be a mistake. ered them so much success under Pep out before even playing The captain of the great teams of the Guardiola. But Barcelona’s recent fall their last group match. recent past he may be, but he has not from grace and the way in which Spain coach Vicente del Bosque had signalled the tur- been playing regularly for Real Madrid Guardiola’s Bayern Munich were ripped moil in the Spain camp by dropping veteran midfielder and Del Bosque has enough alterna- apart by the pace and power of Real Xavi and defender Gerard Pique beforehand. tives in the goalkeeping department, Madrid in the Champions League semi- But Del Bosque’s decision to retain out-of-form goal- even in the absence of the injured finals in the spring have indicated that keeper Iker Casillas backfired, with the Spanish skipper Victor Valdes. the days of ‘tiki-taka’ may be num- at fault for Chile’s second goal, lashed home by Aranguiz bered. Again yesterday, Chile’s pace just before half-time. Aranguiz had earlier helped to set Porous defense and pressing unsettled Spain, forcing up Chile’s first, cutting back for Vargas to finish after a If the fingers of blame are being them to regularly mis-place passes and superb counter-attack. The final whistle sparked deliri- pointed in his direction, Casillas might preventing them from holding posses- um inside the Maracana, where Chilean fans had heavily respond by saying that the defenders sion, their forte in the past. outnumbered their Spanish counterparts and roared in front of him deserve criticism too. on their team relentlessly throughout. The fervor After all, Spain’s success in 2010 and at Playing in South America boiled over before the match, with dozens of ticket- Euro 2012 was based first and foremost It was always going to be a chal- less Chilean fans attempting to force their way into around their watertight defense. The lenge for a European nation to win the the famous stadium by storming the press room. inspiration of Carles Puyol has been World Cup on the American continent, Chile will now face Holland next Monday in missed. Pique and Sergio Ramos something that has never happened what could well be a battle to avoid Brazil, who worked in the past as a centre-back before. The beginning of the end for are expected to face the runners-up from Group pairing, but not this time, and Javi Spain came at the Maracana a year B in the last 16. The Dutch had earlier needed Martinez did not prove to be the solu- ago, where they lost 3-0 to Brazil in the goals from Arjen Robben and Robin van tion against Chile. Against both the Confederations Cup final, and the Persie to fight back against Australia before Netherlands and Chile, Spain came up decline has continued. Every South Memphis Depay’s long-range effort settled against sides playing unorthodox for- American side in this World Cup has a thrilling game at Porto Alegre’s Beira-Rio mations and couldn’t cope to the received formidable backing from their Stadium.Van Persie will miss the next Chile's Eduardo Vargas extent that seven goals were leaked in huge travelling supports. Spain’s 5-1 game against Chile though after picking two games. loss to the Dutch left them needing a up a second yellow card. And Louis van result against Chile, but the majority of Gaal’s side were given an almighty fright Selecting Diego Costa the Maracana crowd were behind by their fired up Australian opponents, Once Del Bosque had persuaded Jorge Sampaoli’s side, making it like a who had taken a 2-1 lead Diego Costa to represent his adopted home game for them. — AFP through a spectacular Tim Cahill volley and a Mile Jedinak penalty. Dutch on verge of last Australia coach 16 after beating Australia Spain's midfielder Sergio Busquets PORTO ALEGRE: The Netherlands all but and had two great chances to go in front. secured their place in the last 16 of the Firstly Mark Bresciano blasted over when World Cup as they came from behind to well-placed inside the area before Matthew beat Australia 3-2 in Porto Alegre yester- Spiranovic failed to make to make a clean WORLD CUP STANDING RIO DE JANEIRO: Updated 2014 World Cup at a glance after day. Arjen Robben had fired the Dutch into contact from close range as a free-kick fell Chile defeated Spain 2-0 in Brazil yesterday: an early lead, but a stunning volleyed at his feet. Group B Played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points) equalizer from Tim Cahill and Mile Jedinak’s Cahill was then booked for a rash chal- Standings (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, penalty early in the second-half had put lenge on Bruno Martins Indi that forced the points) Netherlands 2 2 0 0 8 3 6 Autralia on course for their most famous Dutch centre-back off on a stretcher with - qualified ever victory at a World Cup. Their joy was Depay replacing the Feyenoord man. Chile 2 2 0 0 5 1 6 - qualified short-lived, though, as Robin Van Persie Australia continued to press at the start of Australia 2 0 0 2 3 6 0 leveled before Maty Ryan let Memphis the second-half and had a goal ruled out Spain 2 0 0 2 1 7 0 Depay’s long-range effort creep into the within 60 seconds of the restart for a push Group A Brazil 2 1 1 0 3 1 4 bottom corner to make it two wins from by Matthew Leckie on Daley Blind.