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RAUL HAVING A ROUGH TIME
 SPANISH striker Raul has
been told that if he wants to be involved in their
crucial quarter-final against South Korea on Saturday
then he must prove that he is 100% fit beforehand. The Real Madrid forward injured his groin during Spain’s second round victory over the Republic of Ireland and hasn’t been able to train since. And Spanish coach Antonio Camacho has insisted that Raul must prove he is fit if he wants to be involved against South Korea. He said: “If he says he’s 100%, and the doctor says he’s 100% he will play. If not, he won’t, like the rest. “You have to take into account that it’s not just one game you have to play, but also he’s a player who may be injured a little psychologically as well as physically. “What we need is to control the game from the start, because a game can be won in the first minute or the 90th, as we have seen. So we need a player who is match fit.” Facing the South Koreans without Raul would be a massive blow for the Spanish side, the Real striker has found the back of the net three times in the tournament. When asked about how Raul’s muscle felt after he’s done some light stretching on Wednesday, Spanish team doctor Genaro Borras, explained: “The muscle responded well but we won’t know until he gets on the field. “We’re optimistic but moderately so.” Camacho has stressed that should Raul not be fit in time for the South Korean clash, it would not be the end of the world: “Raul is important for us when he plays, but he isn’t when he doesn’t. “We have until the last minute and obviously some players will change around, but whoever turns out will try to get through to the next round, whether Raul is there or not. “I think whoever plays has the same opportunity.” |