DOHA, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- Spain keeper Unai Simon was a virtual spectator as his side kicked off their World Cup campaign with a 7-0 win against Costa Rica.

The Central American side didn't have a single shot on target during the game on Thursday and in his 28th international appearance, Simon's job was reduced to claiming a couple of high balls into the penalty area and getting the ball moving from the back, with passes to his defenders.

"I didn't have a shot to save thanks to all of the possession that we had, but in the national team, I have to be good with my feet, good in the air and to look numerical superiority," said the keeper, who was full of praise for the coach, Luis Enrique.

"Luis Enrique has made me see football in another way: playing from the back has changed my perspective on my way of playing."

"Luis Enrique has a lot of charisma and he convinces you," said the keeper.

Despite having now made 28 appearances for Spain, while understudies David Raya and Robert Sanchez have just two each, Simon said he didn't feel as if he was the first choice, either for his club, Athletic Club Bilbao, or the Spanish national side.

"David de Gea was the first choice when I started, and who's to say that Raya or Robert won't step up," he commented.

Finally, he insisted that although Spain had started the World Cup in spectacular style against Costa Rica, Sunday's match against Germany will be another story.

"I you don't win that, then you've done nothing," said the goalkeeper. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)