CURITIBA // Spain manager Vicente del Bosque defended goalkeeper Iker Casillas on Saturday as the inquest into the World Cup holders' 5-1 drubbing by the Netherlands continued.
The world champions’ mauling was especially symbolic for the role played by the captain of three consecutive major tournament victories.
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Casillas, 32, was at fault for the Netherlands’ fourth goal, slotted home by Robin van Persie, and was earlier booked for dissent after claiming he had been fouled by the Manchester United striker as he flapped at a cross that allowed Stefan de Vrij to make it 3-1.
"If a team loses, it's not down to the performance of a single player," Del Bosque said when asked if he would drop Casillas for Wednesday's game against Chile at Rio's Maracana stadium.
“Defeats happen as a result of weaknesses in the entire squad, but least of all because of the performance of Iker Casillas.”
The Real Madrid stopper has endured the most difficult 18-month stretch of his career.
Dropped by Jose Mourinho in his final season in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu, Casillas failed to reclaim his place ahead of Diego Lopez in La Liga this season, even once Carlo Ancelotti had replaced Mourinho.
Casillas did play in the Copa del Rey and Uefa Champions League and ended the club season on a high by lifting Real’s 10th European Cup, a feeling he described as even greater than winning the World Cup.
His chances of winning more silverware come July 13, though, now seem remote as Casillas was beaten more times in a rampant 46 minutes from the Dutch than he had been in his previous two major tournaments.
Spain will almost certainly need to win their remaining games against Chile and Australia just to set up a likely meeting with Brazil in the last 16.
“I am the first one to ask for forgiveness,” Casillas said. “It wasn’t my best game by a long way because I wasn’t up to the task required and I have to know how to face this type of situation.
“I need to receive the criticisms I know I will receive and think about training and think about the next game. If I play or am left on the bench the manager will decide. All I can do is train well.”
Del Bosque has been fiercely loyal to those who have succeeded at previous tournaments, including Casillas at last year’s Confederations Cup, despite the fact he had not played a competitive game with Real for six months.
Yet, the manner in which the Dutch ripped apart the Spanish methodology for that glorious six-year run in just one half of football could force Del Bosque into taking big decisions.Since the former Real manager took charge following the first Euro success in 2008, Spain’s game has been based on control of the ball and not conceding.
They have kept 10 consecutive clean sheets in knockout games and, when they most needed him, Casillas has always proved the security blanket.
In 2008, he saved two Italian penalties as Spain finally overcame their run of falling at the quarter-final stage on their way to a first tournament win in 44 years. He made a fine stop with his outstretched foot two years later to stop Arjen Robben winning the World Cup for the Dutch and was a hero in another penalty shoot-out in 2012 at the Euros to deny Portugal in the semi-finals.
On Friday, Robben got his revenge as he also bagged a brace and, as Casillas sunk to his knees following the fifth goal, the image of a golden Spanish generation on its last legs was defined.
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What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
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Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
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Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
