Xavi in positive mood as Spain prepares for South Africa
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Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez showed confidence in his country's chances of winning the World Cup as the Spanish squad prepares to travel to South Africa.
The Spanish side flies to South Africa just before midnight Thursday and will be the last team to arrive in the host country.
However, the reigning European Champions have plenty of reasons to be optimistic of their chances: they are rated the second best side in the world behind Brazil and have been in impressive form.
The side coached by Vicente del Bosque had a 100 percent record in qualifying and has won its three warm up matches ahead of the World Cup, ending with a 6-0 thrashing of Poland on Tuesday night.
That win has sent expectations sky high among the Spanish press and supporters and raised the morale of the players, as Xavi made clear in his last press conference before departure.
"If we win the World Cup, I'll dye my hair in the colors of the Spanish flag," he promised, looking ahead to a return to a country the Spanish already know well after competing in the Confederations Cup.
"We were there last year and we know that the country is well prepared to host the World Cup," he said.
Spain kicks off its campaign against Switzerland on June 16 and Xavi highlighted the need for a good start.
"The first game is going to be fundamental; we have to respect our three rivals (Switzerland, Honduras and Chile). Chile is a very hard working side and they have a good coach, good players and are technically at a high level. Honduras is more physical and has some tall players, while the Swiss combine strength and technique," he said.
Xavi also discussed the ball which is to be used in the World Cup. Many players and goalkeepers have complained that it is too light, hard to control and that it also moves in the air and is hard to judge in flight.
"At the start it's always hard to adapt to the ball, but we've all done that now, including (goalkeeper) Iker (Casillas)," said the midfielder.
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