Raul (right) - not underestimating Irish (Allsport)
RAUL CHARMED BY IRISH
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World Cup surprise package Ireland have won the
heart of a Spanish footballing matador, Raul.
Today the Real Madrid star spoke lovingly of how the Irish play, although it
is certain to be an extremely brief infatuation.
Spain and the Republic of Ireland lock horns in a second round fight to the
death in Suwon on Sunday.
Until then, however, Raul is an ardent fan.
"I love the way they (Ireland) play," he told Real Madrid's official
website.
"I like the football they have played and it is not going to be easy to beat
them."
Both teams impressed in the first round of the tournament, especially the
Spanish, who won all their matches.
But 25-year-old Raul reckons the real business begins on Sunday,
"Now the elimination starts, and we cannot fail," he said.
"If we get through the second round we will go into the quarter-finals, and
there will only be eight teams left, so we can show what we are capable of."
But Raul certainly won't be underestimating Mick McCarthy's team, who defied
the odds to draw against powerful Group E rivals Germany and Cameroon.
"Ireland are opponents that will fight the 90 minutes to the maximum and also
know how to play good football," added Raul, who has scored three World Cup
goals so far, making him the third highest scorer in the tournament.
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