We're worse than I thought, says Spain coach Aragones

Spain coach Luis Aragones has been surprised at just how badly his team have played in their two friendly matches under his charge.

"Yes, we're a good deal worse than I first thought," Aragones told ABC newspaper. "We've been bad in the first half in both our games and we've only improved when our opponents have tired."

Aragones took over from Inaki Saez after Spain's first-round exit at Euro 2004 -- the country's latest big disappointment at an international tournament.

They managed a shaky 3-2 win over Venezuela in Aragones's first game last month before coming back to scramble a 1-1 draw with Scotland on Friday in a game that had to be abandoned after an hour because of floodlight failure.

Spain begin their World Cup qualifying campaign away to Bosnia on Wednesday and the coach is already concerned about the task that awaits his side.

"It's going to be difficult...(but) my morale is intact," Aragones said.

"To say that we've played badly and we've failed in this, this and this is normal. I believe in the national team and in the players I've got and I think that little by little they're believing in what I tell them."

Spain will also play against Belgium, Lithuania, Serbia and Montenegro and San Marino in qualifying Group Seven for the 2006 World Cup.