Mendieta - taking nothing for granted (Allsport).
MENDIETA WARY OF UPSET-MINDED KOREANS
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Spain playmaker Gaizka Mendieta isn't quite
paranoid, but he's certainly worried about the World Cup hoodoo that has claimed
so many high profile victims in Japan and Korea.
He knows that by Saturday night the whole of Spain should be celebrating their
greatest World Cup achievement, even though their quarter-final opponents are
co-hosts Korea, who have already disposed of two other Mediterranean neighbours
Italy and Portugal.
Victory would land the Spaniards in the semi-finals for the very first time,
which just about everybody west of the Korean Peninsula expects them to do.
But Mendieta, a super patriot now that he's virtually living in exile while he
earns his living in Italy Series A, has stopped listening.
"If we look at names Spain should win," said Mendieta, who became his
country's most expensive footballer last season when Valencia sold him to Lazio
for £30m.
"But one thing that has become apparent in this World Cup is that history
counts for nothing. That's why I think it will be a very even game.
"On very few occasions has Spain got as far as the quarter-finals in the
World Cup and we have been here for a month, but the sacrifice has been
worthwhile.
"This is a historic opportunity to take another step forward and we are going
to do all we can to achieve it."
Mendieta's form has suffered during his Italian sojourn, but his place in the
national team has never been in doubt and the faith of the Spanish selectors
seems well justified.
During the early stages of Far East tournament Mendieta has shown signs of
regaining the form and confidence that inexplicably deserted following his move
to Lazio - he scored the winning penalty that eliminated the Republic of Ireland
in the second round.
Mendieta admits he's encouraged, but it's the Koreans, whose Dutch coach Guus
Hiddink once managed Primera Liga giants Real Madrid as well as Valencia and
Real Betis, dominate his thoughts.
"Korea will have their own motivation to play and they could carry on the
good run they have had," he said.
"They have shown they are capable of adapting to any kind of football and
they will never give up.
"They always try to attack and it could be an advantage for them that their
coach knows Spanish football very well."
Mendieta declined to comment on rumours linking him with a possible move to
Barcelona for next season.
"I am not going to think about anything other than the National team until
the World Cup is over," he said.
Mendieta was so fundamental to Valencia's achievement of reaching the
Champions League final in successive years before his move to Rome that the club
are understandably reluctant to see him return to the Primera Liga in the near
future.
That's why the transfer deal with Lazio contained a clause that obliged the
Italian club to pay Valencia £8m if they traded him back to a Spanish club
within two years.
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