Fabregas and Senna look to seize chance for Spain
28 Feb 2006Reuters
Midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Marcos Senna will be given the chance to stake their claim to a place in Spain's World Cup squad when they make their debut appearances in the friendly against Ivory Coast on Wednesday.
Although at opposite ends of the age spectrum, the two midfielders have been rewarded for their fine form at club level with their first international call-ups for the match against the African Nations Cup runners-up.
Both players are determined to grasp the opportunity to impress coach Luis Aragones in the match at Valladolid (kickoff 2100 GMT).
"Things are going well for me at the moment and I want to make the most of this chance," the 18-year-old Fabregas told reporters on his arrival at the Spain headquarters in Las Rozas on Monday.
"I'm grateful for the confidence the boss has shown in me and I want to show that he was right to select me."
The former Barcelona youth team player who has been one of the few successes in a muted Arsenal team this season, is being groomed as the replacement for Barca playmaker Xavi whose presence at the World Cup is in jeopardy because of a serious knee ligament injury.
Brazilian-born Villarreal midfielder Senna, who is 11 years older than Fabregas, was just as enthusiastic about getting his first call-up.
"For me going to the World Cup would be the tops," he said. "I want to do the best I can and my aim is to show that I deserve to wear the shirt."
With injuries forcing both Guti and Ruben Baraja to drop out of the squad, both players are likely to be given a run out in Wednesday's match.
NO RAUL
Spain will also be without captain Raul who has yet to play a full match for Real Madrid since returning from a three-month lay-off because of a serious knee injury.
His absence will give in-form Valencia striker David Villa, who is the highest scoring Spaniard in the Primera Liga with 15 goals, a chance to prove that he merits a place in the starting line-up at the World Cup.
Fresh from their impressive performance at the African Nations Cup, Ivory Coast are certain to provide Spain with a stiff test in the first of four warm-up matches Aragones has planned before the World Cup.
The Ivorians, who have also qualified for the World Cup, beat favourites Cameroon on their way to the final earlier this month and only lost out to hosts Egypt after a penalty shoot-out.
With an attack spearheaded by Chelsea striker Didier Drogba and a defence containing Arsenal's Kolo Toure, who was also outstanding in the tournament in Egypt, Henri Michel's side have produced some encouraging performances against European opponents in recent friendlies.
They came close to ending Italy's 15-match unbeaten run when they drew 1-1 with the Azzurri in Rome last November and beat Romania 2-1 in the same month.
Henri has given a first call-up to 30-year-old Lazio midfielder Christian Manfredini and to keeper Stephane Laboue, who plays for German second division side Paderborn.
Ivory Coast have been handed a daunting draw in the World Cup after being paired with Argentina, Netherlands and Serbia & Montenegro in Group C.
On paper Spain have an easier task in Group H where they have been drawn alongside Ukraine, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia.
Possible teams:
Spain: Iker Casillas; Michel Salgado, Carles Puyol, Sergio Ramos, Antonio Lopez; Jose Antonio Reyes, David Albelda, Cesc Fabregas, Luis Garcia; Fernando Torres, David Villa.
Ivory Coast: Jean-Jacques Tizie; Arthur Boka, Kolo Toure, Blaise Koffi Kouassi, Emmanuel Eboue; Didier Zokora, Gneri Yaya Toure, Kanga Akale, Emerse Fae; Didier Drogba, Arouna Kone
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