Spain look to pull clear with win over Armenia

Spain coach Inaki Saez is confident that his side can secure their third win in four Euro 2004 qualifying games when they face Armenia in Leon on Wednesday.

But the 59-year-old Basque says he was surprised by the quality of football played by his little-known opponents after watching video footage of their 1-0 victory over Northern Ireland on Saturday.

"They are a team that enjoys having the ball at their feet and certainly don't resort to the long ball game," Saez told Spanish sports daily Marca on Tuesday. "They showed some really good skill and passing moves."

Saturday's victory over Northern Ireland was Armenia's first win in over three years and came just a week after Romania's Mihai Stoichita took over the national team, the fourth coach to be appointed to the post in the space of a year.

But Saez believes that his side will be able to curtail Stoichita's bright start when they meet them in the northern Spanish city of Leon.

"It will be important for us to play the game at a fast pace and pressure them so that we can get an early goal and then play a little more calmly."

Spain, who have an impressive record in qualifying for major championships, drew 2-2 away to second-placed Ukraine on Saturday and will move four points clear at the top of Group Six if they beat Armenia.

They will be strengthened by the return of Real Madrid's Ivan Helguera, who should slot into the centre of defence to replace either Carlos Marchena or Cesar after serving a one-match suspension.

Valencia midfielder Ruben Baraja is doubtful after missing training on Monday because of a heel injury and is likely to be replaced by Barcelona's Xavi if he fails a late fitness test.

Saez may also decide to include Deportivo Coruna playmaker Juan Carlos Valeron, who impressed after he came on midway through the second half in Kiev, to help release the in-form Raul up front.

Armenia coach Stoichita was anxious to play down the significance of his side's win over Northern Ireland, which allowed his side to move into third place in the group.

"Lets not talk about about wins or points before Wednesday's match," he told local media. "Only the Spain game will show the true calibre of this team."

Stoichita is expected to make just one change in his starting line-up -- replacing veteran midfielder Artur Voskanyan with defensive specialist Aghvan Mkrtychyan.

Probable teams:

Spain: Iker Casillas, Michel Salgado, Ivan Helguera, Cesar, Augustin Aranzabal, Joseba Etxeberria, Ruben Baraja or Xavi, David Albelda, Juan Carlos Valeron, Vicente, Raul.

Armenia: Roman Berezovsky, Egishe Melikyan, Karen Dokhoyan, Sargis Hovsepyan, Harutyun Vardanyan, Jose Bilibio, Artur Petrosyan, Aghvan Mkrtychyan, Albert Sargsyan, Artavazd Karamyan, Arman Karamyan.

Referee: Alon Yefet (Israel).