Spanish boss praises ‘excellent’ opponents

SPAIN boss Fernando Hierro insists his side can take nothing for granted when they face Morocco tonight.

Spain are top of Group B following a draw with Portugal and a 1-0 win over Iran.

Morocco are already out but a shock win by them could yet see Spain crash out too.

“Our obligation is to play a good game, to get three points and if we can be at the head of the group, even better,” said Hierro.

“We know it is going to be a tough match, always when you play against teams who are eliminated you don’t know what they are going to do – it could be a big surprise.

“We can’t take anything for granted, we have to use our skills and our qualities and that is what is most important going into the match.

“We know that Morocco are an excellent team, they reached the finals of a World Cup after not being here for many years.

“They lost their first match in the last minute with an own goal and had an excellent game against Portugal – we are talking about a tough nut to crack.

“Sometimes teams relax in their third match but we can’t afford that, we have to be very much awake.” Morocco are out

from TIM GRAY

having already lost to both Iran and Portugal.

But the Morroco boss Herve Renard wants them to leave Russia with their heads held high.

“We have to force ourselves to find something to fight for so we can compete in the best possible psychological condition,” he said.

“The most difficult thing is to play these kinds of matches knowing that we will have to pack and go home and leave the competition.

“When you are not up to the job it is easier to accept but as I have said before we have to be professional.

“We are going to play a team for which we need to be fit from a psychological view or it will be difficult to play against Spain otherwise.”