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Sevilla hero Coke sets sights on King's Cup

Xinhua, May 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

No sooner had he lifted the Europa League trophy on Wednesday night and received the award for the man of the match, then Sevilla captain, Coke set his sights on an impressive cup double to end the season.

The full back was the surprise hero with two goals as Sevilla overturned a 1-0 deficit against Liverpool to win 3-1 and set a new record of winning the Europa League for a third year in succession.

However, there is little time for celebration as Sunday sees Sevilla face FC Barcelona in the final of the King's Cup at Vicente Calderon Stadium in Madrid.

The game not only gives Sevilla the chance to lift their second piece of silverware in just five days, but also gives them the chance to avenge their 5-4 defeat to Barcelona in the European Supercup at the end of last summer.

Tired legs may be a factor against a Barcelona side that has had a week to prepare for the final, but the Sevilla right back thinks any aching muscles will soon be forgotten.

"We prepared for this game as if it was the last game of the season and it is really important because it allows us to play in the Champions League next season," said Coke, who saw Wednesday's triumph as a huge morale boost for Sunday.

"It will give us an injection of energy for Sunday. It doesn't matter that we ran ourselves into the ground, on Sunday we are going to run even more than today," he promised.

"Liverpool were better in the first half, but (Sevilla coach) Unai Emery told us at halftime that we couldn't change our plans and we had to have faith in what we had practiced. The big thing is that we have won, we have had a great season and now we have another final," concluded Coke. Endit