South Africa : USA/Spain to clash in Confeds Cup semi-finals

By Nthambeleni Gabara

Pretoria - The United States of America (USA) and Spain are set to lock horns tonight in their Confederations Cup semi-final encounter at Vodacom Park, in Bloemfontein.

Known as La Roja and La Selecci, Spain,,ranked as the world's leading football team, started the Confederations Cup as the most formidable side to beat.

They opened the tournament by thrashing lower-ranked New Zealand 5-nil, and continued with their victorious journey to the semi-finals by beating Iraq 1-nil and the host South Africa 2-nil.

The Spanish national soccer team is the Euro 2008 Champions and since the have had a stranglehold on the number one spot in the FIFA world rankings.

They have posted a perfect 6-nil record in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, and are riding an incredible 35-game unbeaten streak, having last tasted defeat in November 2006.

The Spanish national team has not looked back and has been brimming with confidence ever since, firmly establishing itself as the best side in the world.

On the other hand, the US national team lost 3-nil to the Confederations Cup champions, Brazil. The Americans also lost 3-1 during their second encounter to the World Cup Champions, Italy.

However, it was their astonishing and historic stunning 3-nil victory against Egypt which saw the US national team progressing to the semi-finals.

Three days before the tournament kicked-off, US head coach Bob Bradley, maintained that the American team would be playing to win in the FIFA Confederations Cup.

"We know that we will be playing against the world's best national teams, but we are here to win. We will be playing great football. We've worked very hard and we are ready for our first match," Mr Bradley said at the time.

Of the 12 matches played so far, 31 goals have been scored, with reigning Confederations Cup champions, Brazil striker, Luis Fabiano, Spanish David Villa and Fernando Torres as top goal scorers with three goals each.

Spain qualified to the semi-finals without conceding a goal or losing a match. They lead group A with twelve points and eight goals. On the second spot is South Africa with four points, one loss and one defeat.

On Thursday, South Africa will play against Brazil at Ellis Park in Johannesburg at 8:30pm. The loser's final will be played at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg at 3pm on Sunday, while the finals will be played at Ellis Park on the same day at 8:30pm. - BuaNews