Al Ain star scores late winner to shock Spain in qualifier

Sport360 staff 12:19 10/10/2014
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  • National hero: Al Ain winger Miroslav Stoch headed a dramatic 87th-minute winner.

    Spain coach Vicente del Bosque insisted his team were not in a "negative dynamic" after Thursday evening's shock Euro 2016 qualifying defeat against Slovakia.

    Al Ain star Miroslav Stoch headed a dramatic 87th-minute winner to secure a 2-1 triumph for the hosts in Zilina – ending Spain's eight-year, 36-match unbeaten run in qualifying.

    La Roja crashed out of the World Cup at the group stage and went down 1-0 to France in a friendly last month.

    But they overcame FYR Macedonia 5-1 in their opening Group C qualifier in Valencia last month, and Del Bosque does not believe they are on a downward trend.

    "The last game we won by five. I think we deserved a draw at least. I do not think we are in a negative dynamic," he was quoted as saying at his post-match press conference.

    "We are on the second matchday. Nothing is clear yet. Slovakia has six points and is leading the standings, but there are games left to turn things around."

    Substitute Paco Alcacer looked to have claimed a draw for a frustrated Spanish side when he equalised eight minutes from time, cancelling out Juraj Kucka's early free-kick.

    But the hosts roused themselves for a strong finish and Stoch headed home a fine cross from substitute Michal Duris to settle matters.

    "I did not quite expect this result," Del Bosque said.

    "It's unexpected. We did not have a great game. We should have got more goals, but then came a deadly counter-attack.
    "This is football. We can have no complaint against the players – they were patient but were not successful, and faced a goalkeeper ( Matus Kozacik ) who was outstanding. It's true that we could have been more diligent in attack, but then they put together a beautiful move to make it 2-1.

    "Nobody likes to lose, but I don't think anyone can say there was a lack of activity. Everybody worked and fought. We lost – that is football."

    Iker Casillas, Spain's inspirational captain throughout their recent golden era of success, was completely deceived by Kucka's swerving free-kick opener – an error likely to increase calls for Manchester United's in-form goalkeeper David de Gea to be given a chance – but Del Bosque refused to blame the Real Madrid man.

    "I did not see the ball well, but certainly it moved strangely and deceived the goalkeeper," the coach said.

    Del Bosque introduced Pedro, Alcacer and Santi Cazorla in the second half in a bid to breach the Slovakia defence, but to no avail.

    "We tried to go on the attack and I wanted to freshen things up," the Spain coach said.

    "(We brought on) Pedro for his speed, Alcacer to have another threat in the box, and Cazorla for his passing ability.

    "I think we were missing depth. Sometimes we say we have to open up the field, but sometimes the solution is inside, inside passes, as was the case at 1-1."

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