Camacho fears the threat from Santa Cruz (Allsport).
SANTA CRUZ GAMEPLAN FOR SPAIN
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Spain aim to keep a close eye on Paraguay
dangerman Roque Santa Cruz in Friday's Group B meeting in Jeonju.
Coach Jose Antonio Camacho revealed that Spain plan to defend deep to deny
Bayern Munich striker Santa Cruz space to exploit behind their defence.
"Santa Cruz is a player who knows how to move about a lot and they depend on
him," he said.
"We must spread out and hang four or five yards further back so as not to be
caught out."
But although Camacho has special plans to contain Santa Cruz he is not about
to let the Paraguayans dictate the pace of the game.
"Spain will suffer if we let them get the rhythm," he warned, "and they
take free-kicks well too. That's what they're best at."
Spain, persistent World Cup finals underachievers, can clinch a place in the
second if they build on their win over Slovenia which ended a 52-year run of not
winning opening matches.
Paraguay, pegged back to a 2-2 draw by South Africa after leading 2-0, could
do with a win this time.
"We need a win to avoid problems later," said Santa Cruz.
"A win and Spain qualify, a draw won't be so bad for them, but only a win
will do for us."
Paraguay are without midfielder Guido Alvarenga who has a thigh strain but
Carlos Paredes returns from a similar injury.
Camacho has defended veteran centre backs Fernando Hierro and Miguel Angel
Nadal as the atmosphere surrounding Friday's clash with Paraguay continues to
heat up.
First, Paraguay goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert questioned the quality of the
Spain squad and now midfielder Roberto Acuna, who plays in Spain, has launched
into the pair saying they were too slow.
"We'll have to see if they are slow or not on the pitch," said Camacho of
34-year-old Hierro and Nadal, who will be 36 in July.
The Spain coach also warned Acuna, who was relegated with Real Zaragoza this
season and has a seven-match ban hanging over him for kicking a supporter, to
watch his words.
"Maybe these players have been team-mates of his, or could be companions in
the future, so he'd be a lot wiser if he respected them," he said.
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