Carmona (centre) celebrates scoring Spain's second goal with his team-mates (©UEFA)Carmona sparks Spanish success
Friday, 4 February 2005
e-mail
PrintBy Türker Tozar at Söke stadium
Holders Spain began their 2005 UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup campaign in style with a 3-0 victory against tournament debutants Sierra Leone in Soke, Carlos Carmona scoring twice and Mario Suárez getting the other goal.
First-half fillip
Club Atlético Madrid midfield player Mario broke the deadlock in the seventh minute, with Carmona doubling his side's lead from the penalty spot shortly before half-time. Sierra Leone, who were reduced to nine men by the end, never looked like finding a way back into the match, and RCD Mallorca midfield player Carmona wrapped up the points for Spain, and Europe, with his second and his team's third late in the second period, ensuring Juan Santisteban's side go into Sunday's meeting with Cameroon, 7-0 losers to France today, in good heart. Sierra Leone face the French in Kusadasi the same day.
Experienced outfit
Spain lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, with Santisteban opting to leave 16-year-old striker Diego Capel, who recently made his first-team debut for Sevilla FC, on the bench. Despite that, and the absence of Cesc Fabregas and Gerard Piqué due to club commitments, the Spain coach was still able to field the bulk of the side who reached the UEFA European Under-17 Championship final last May, and this experience was to prove invaluable as the Iberian outfit quickly took control in midfield.
Early breakthrough
Sierra Leone opted to leave Mohamed Bangura on his own up front, and this cautious approach allowed Spain to gain the early initiative. The European side duly took the lead after seven minutes, Mario collecting a perceptive through-ball to beat goalkeeper Christian Caulker and give his side the perfect start.
Penalty converted
The goal increased Spain's confidence and allowed them to play their expressive passing football, with Marcos and Carmona particularly effective on the flanks. It was no surprise when the Spanish doubled their lead seven minutes before half-time, Javi García's through-ball setting Carmona free only for the midfield player’s progress to be illegally halted by Christian Caulker. The Spaniard picked himself up and nervelessly doubled his side's lead from the spot.
Koroma dismissed
Despite the encouragement of Sierra Leone coach Abu Sankoh, Spain never looked like losing their two-goal cushion, and the African team's slender hopes suffered a further setback five minutes into the second half when defender Ibrahim Koroma was sent off for his second bookable offence. His dismissal seemed to galvanise his team-mates, however, who began to threaten more with substitute Sarway Dallar particularly prominent.
Late third
Sierra Leone were put at further disadvantage eight minutes from time when goalkeeper Caulker was shown a red card after handling outside the penalty area and, having used all his substitutes, Sankoh was forced to put defender Mustapha Bangura in goal. The makeshift goalkeeper was unable to prevent Carmona rounding off the win with two minutes left, scoring his second and Spain's third to cap an impressive display by himself and his team.
©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.
