|
ESPNsoccernet: World Cup 2010 | |
Defeated Spain coach Vincente Del Bosque claimed Switzerland did not deserve their shock 1-0 victory over the European champions after their Group H match in Durban.
 |
• Ball: Funny old game
• Forum: Are Spain still favourites?
• Photo gallery 
Gelson Fernandes bundled in the winning goal as the Swiss executed coach Ottmar Hitzfeld's game-plan to perfection and frustrated Del Bosque's dominant side.
"I feel it's an excessive prize for them considering the football they displayed," Del Bosque said. "They played a defensive game and tried to take advantage of any counter-attack and dead-ball situation.
"They did play well in defence. We came for the win and this time it has escaped us."
Spain dominated in possession and had numerous strikes on target, even hitting the woodwork, but failed to score.
"We tried to find solutions on our wings, putting on another striker in Fernando Torres," added Del Bosque. "Our football is not just to have ball possession but also find depth in our play. We had opportunities especially in the first half to have resolved the game.
"It's not a good sign we send to our rivals. But we have to hit back and try to win our next two group games."
Spain know they must beat Chile and Honduras to be assured of progressing, but Del Bosque will not change his team's attacking style in favour of a more conservative approach.
"Each game is different," he said. "We have arrived up to here playing a certain way and we will not lose our identity. In football you can always lose but I feel a sense of avenging this defeat."
Hitzfeld, meanwhile, was all smiles after his team claimed their first win over Spain.
"I am fully aware that we have made history," he said. "This will go down in the record books. The three points is a gift that we happily accept. It's a great feeling to start the tournament with three points against one of the biggest contenders for the title.
Hitzfeld showered his team with praise. "I am very satisfied with my team's performance," he said. "Our aim today was to have two compact lines behind our strikers as we didn't want to lose too much energy fighting for the ball. We wanted to focus on our defence and wait for the counter attack.
"We concentrated and were organised from the start. We didn't allow any chances for Spain in the first half and that gave us self-confidence.
"In the second half, Spain rolled one attack after another and we knew they would open their defence. After we took the lead, we gained even more confidence."
Hitzfeld made no apologies for his tactics. "If you want to play an attacking game against Spain you would lose by a big margin," he said.
The only negative aspect of the match for the Swiss was the injury to Philippe Senderos. The Fulham defender was substituted midway through the first half after sustaining an ankle problem.
"Senderos has a sprained ankle and he may have a ruptured a ligament or worse," said Hitzfeld. "He has to go to hospital to have some tests.
"It will be very difficult to replace him and it will be a major blow for my team if we were to lose him."