Off the wire
AU decries slow pace of integration in Africa  • United Nations slams killing of five blue helmets in central Mali  • Texas begins to evacuate about 2,600 inmates as flooding threatens prisons  • China, Bangladesh pledge to boost cooperation  • Interview: Chinese G20 presidency "ambitious" in seeking solutions for global growth: OECD official  • X-Men projected to lead North American Memorial Day weekend box office  • At lease 40 people shot over Memorial Day weekend in Chicago  • Explosion kills 5 in NE Nigeria  • Nigeria resolves to end pipeline vandalism in oil-rich Niger Delta  • Feature: Argentine student wins last chance to compete in int'l Chinese Bridge contest  
You are here:   Home

Debuts galore as Spain win first preparation game for 2016

Xinhua, May 30, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Spanish national team won its first preparation game for the 2016 European Championships 3-1 against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Swiss town of Saint Gallen on Sunday, although it is hard to see what conclusions Spain coach Vicente del Bosque can draw from the game.

With only nine players from the 23-man squad he has named for the European Championships available Del Bosque handed debuts to Marco Asensio, Hector Bellerin and Sergio Asenjo who form part of the 11 'promises' he had brought to help with preparations.

The changes didn' t stop the Spanish from starting brightly and Celta Vigo forward, Nolito scored twice within the first 18 minutes.

The first goal was an angled shot from the left of the Bosnian penalty area, while the second was a smart chip when he was given far too much space to think 15 yards from goal.

Things got worse for the Bosnian side as Edin Dzeko was forced out with a knee injury, but they got into the game when Spahic headed a corner past Asenjo 10 minutes from halftime.

Spahic' s joy didn' t last long as he was sent off just before half time after getting involved in a flare-up involving Cesar Azpilicueta at the touch line.

Del Bosque made two changes at halftime, bringing on Pedro Rodriguez and handing Denis Suarez a debut, although Asenjo had to be alert to save well from Djuric.

Diego Llorente, Inaki Williams, Mikel Oyarzabal and Pablo Fornals all made debuts as the half progressed with young Real Sociedad striker Oyarzabal especially catching the eye, although Spain' s third goal came late in injury time as Pedro tapped home Williams' shot which had been parried by Bosnia keeper Asmir Bergovic. Enditem