Baraja - Keane incident has not hindered Irish (Allsport).

By PA Sport Staff

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Spain coach Jose Antonio Camacho believes all the players in his squad are well capable of helping to beat the Republic of Ireland.

Camacho made eight changes to his side against South Africa and they still won comfortably enough, leaving Luis Enrique, Fernando Hierro and Diego Tristan on the bench among others.

"It's not important who will play," said the 47-year-old.

"All 23 players are here to play and each of them has the capability to go on the field.

"Many people ask about the starting line-up but it is more important the players who are there at the end. These are the ones who control the outcome."

Four-time champions Brazil were the only other team to advance through the group stages with a 100% record, but Camacho insists the real business is yet to begin.

"I am very satisfied because our team did what many could not and won three games," he said.

"The matches to be played are more important than what has gone before. For me, it all starts from here."

Meanwhile, Ivan Helguera has told the Spanish public to ditch any preconceptions they have of Ireland as a weak team.

Spain can boast the multi-million pound talents of Raul, Fernando Morientes, Gaizka Mendieta and Luis Enrique in arguably the tournament's most talented squad in depth.

And even though Ireland's most marketable commodity in Roy Keane left before a ball was kicked, Helguera believes nothing can be taken for granted in this World Cup full of surprises.

"Ireland will be a tough team to play against, make no mistake about it," said the Real Madrid midfielder.

"People in Spain tend to disregard the Irish team and think they may be an easy opponent, but it definitely won't be easy for us to win.

"They are by no means a weak team and they should not be thought of in that way."

And fellow midfielder Ruben Baraja does not believe the absence of Keane has had a negative impact on the Irish camp.

"They may not have any world-class players in the squad, but they are still very strong," he said.

"We realise we will have to fight, have a strong mentality and keep on running if we want to get the right result. This is the key to victory."