McCarthy - fancies rivals (Allsport).

By Neil Silver, PA Sport, Seoul

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Mick McCarthy has hailed the Republic of Ireland's next opponents Spain as potential winners of the World Cup.

But the Republic boss also believes the Spaniards will not relish facing Ireland on Sunday for a place in the quarter-finals.

McCarthy watched Spain beat South Africa 3-2 today to win Group B, which means they meet Ireland in the last 16 in Suwon.

The Spaniards are the first nation to qualify for the knockout phase with a 100record, and McCarthy was impressed by what he saw.

"Spain are potential winners," said McCarthy. "Nine points from the group, I think that tells its own story, they are are the first to get maximum points and are a top side.

"But we are here to have a go. I would hardly think Spain are relishing the prospect of playing us. They will look at us and think they have got a very difficult game coming up, but they might also look at us and think they fancy beating us."

Of today's game McCarthy said: "South Africa are a good side and I thought they played well tonight and caused Spain some problems.

"I thought Spain were gifted the first goal and then the goalkeeper was to blame for the second one. He set his wall up, stood behind it and then moved to the wrong side, and they just planted it where he came from. The third goal was a great goal, great movement off the shoulder of Lucas Radebe.

"Spain were confident because they already had six points and I thought the first goal helped them and settled them. But they are a terrific side with good players who play one touch and two touch, the movement is brilliant.

"It was a very open game and when a game is as open as that it makes you wonder. We have been open too but it makes you wonder if you want an open game against Spain like that, because of how good footballers they are.

"You have your attack and then come back and say: 'Go on, see what you can do and if you can break us down'. But Spain are a very good side."

McCarthy felt Spain were more adventurous than Germany, whom Ireland drew with in their group stage.

He said: "I hadn't seen Spain's previous game but our scout Seamus McDonagh told me they made a lot of changes tonight.

"Gaizka Mendietta was back and I think he is a real threat, a very good player. I put him down as my player of the year two years ago, up there with Rivaldo. He is quality.

"Spain are more possessive than Germany in terms of the way they played. More offensive than the Germans. Germany got the goal and we took the game to them for 60 or 70 minutes.

"Spain leave two at the back. Both full-backs pushed up. It would be interesting to see if someone left two up against them whether they would leave two v two. That might be a different proposition."

Spain will start the game as favourites, but that does not bother McCarthy.

He added: "This definitely puts us back in the role of underdogs, but I am always happy to be in that position."

Ireland arrived in Seoul tonight and will begin training tomorrow afternoon in preparation for the clash with Spain. But McCarthy first needs to find a suitable training venue, as all the best ones are being used by teams still playing their group matches in South Korea.