Spain

By Richard Pedler

JAKARTA (JP): In the summer of 1992 a Spanish football revolution took place. Javier Clemente was appointed as national coach and out went heavily criticized Real Madrid veterans Michel, Sanchis, Martin Vasquez and 'The Vulture' Butragueno. In came the Under-23 Olympic Champions led by defenders Solazabal, Abelardo and Ferrer, as well as midfield playmaker 'Pep' Guardiola. The seeds for USA'94 had been planted.

Spain are the one major European power never to have made an impression in eight attempts at the World Cup. Their best performance was back in 1950 when they finished fourth.

Anonymous no longer, Spain took Ireland apart in Dublin with a lethal display of counter-attacking that broke Ireland's five- year unbeaten streak at home.

Clemente, either loathed or loved by the press, has kept only four of the Italia'90 squad. After experimenting with 50 other players, the Basque manager chose Barcelona rather than Real Madrid as the bedrock of the team. Ferrer, Nadal, Bakero, Amor and Salinas have key roles in the more physical, less artistic New Spain.

Zubi Suspended

One stalwart and national appearance record-holder is keeper Andoni Zubizarreta. Now with 86 caps, 'Zubi' tarnished his record in the deciding game with Denmark. Sent off after only ten minutes, he has the first Finals suspension, being ineligible for the opening-day match in Dallas.

Four years ago, Spain finished off South Korea with a Michel hat-trick. When they meet again, 20-year-old Julen Guerrero should be leading the Matadors' charge.

Guerrero is a high-scoring attacking midfielder at Athletic Bilbao. He has skill, pace, mobility, heading power and a playmaker's vision. Behind him is Real Madrid anchorman Fernando Hierro, who also has a vicious long-range shot. The ungainly Julio Salinas, never picked as a starter by Cruyff, is a Clemente favorite.

He has rewarded Clemente's faith with the key qualifying strikes to take the Spanish through. Watch out too for super-sub Juanele, a temperamental and wayward genius in the Eric Cantona mold.

Babes On Fire

Excluding Zubizarreta, the rest of the squad have an average of ten caps each. The players perform what Clemente calls "the most complex attacking system imaginable," using a 3-3-3-1 formation. It even sounds exhausting, especially in the cauldron of a 35 C Dallas.

Attention will be on Clemente, and that's the way he wants it, even allowing the Spanish media to stay in the same hotel as his squad.

If the Spanish babes can cope with the pressure of their first World Cup and make the knockout stage, they have the potential to go all the way. The match-up with Germany in Chicago should provide the answer.

Tomorrow: The Mellow Vikings