World Cup starts today: Spain soccer manager

Spain's soccer manager Luis Aragones told reporters on Thursday that with the start of the second phase "the World Cup is beginning for real" saying that in previous Cups he had seen weak teams in the group phase transformed by the second phase.

"Our idea is the same," he added. "When we have possession of the ball, we are strong."

Spain, who play Saudi Arabia on Friday, in the team's last group phase match, "will have the opportunity to show what we have inside," Aragones said.

"This team has to win. It is not the same to train for a game as to play it. And those who have not yet played now have competition pace," he said. The Spanish team's style was to "move the ball well. We have agreed our style and I think it is ideal."

"The team is making fans dream and if we don't have the World Cup that I long for, then I won't stay in this job," he added.

Questioned about the 11 players which will play in the final, Aragones said: "The essential is to have an idea. We will stay the same, but maybe with different players."

Source: Xinhua