On july 2010 · Sunday Mercury.net
ASTON Villa defender Carlos Cuellar is expecting a Spanish celebration tonight – even though he is his country’s odd man out.
Cuellar remains uncapped and failed to make it into Spain’s World Cup squad despite an encouraging Premier League season.
But the Madrid-born battler will still be cheering on Vicente del Bosque’s men in this evening’s showpiece final against Holland.
“Spain are playing really well,” said Cuellar, who is predicting a 3-1 win with goals from Pedro, David Villa and Xabi Alonso.
“We have already made history this year by getting past the quarter-final.
“We’ve never been that far before so that’s been a massive achievement in itself.
“I just think the way we have played over the past three or four years, we deserve to win the World Cup.
“I am confident. I think Spain are playing well. Holland are playing very well, too. But I think we are stronger than them.”
Cuellar insists Spain’s success in reaching the final has been a real team effort – even though Barcelona new boy David Villa has been their outstanding player.
“Every player in the team is playing well and doing their job,” added Cuellar.
“Villa, over the last five or six games, has been the main man for us.
“I think he is one of the best strikers in the world.
“But, saying that, looking at the last game Carles Puyol showed his quality by scoring with a good header.
“I would have been proud of that. It was an amazing goal. Everyone has been waiting for this moment – the whole country. We have always had a good team but we’ve never really done anything. There is a lot of expectation.”
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