Spain Advances, but Coach Still Upset Over Officiating

Miguel Munoz, coach of the Spanish soccer team, which defeated Algeria, 3-0, Thursday to advance to the second round of the World Cup, lamented that his team’s second-place finish in Group D was caused by the officiating.

“Spain faced unfair decisions from the referees in the first round of the competition,” Munoz said, mainly alluding to a controversial disallowed goal against Brazil which, if awarded, might have led to Spain’s winning the division. “We could have won the group standings without the unfair decision (in the game) against Brazil.”

Still, Munoz was satisfied with the qualification for the next round, although it meant a meeting with either West Germany or Denmark, whichever wins Group E. That title will be decided when those teams play today.

“Both are very difficult, powerful teams, and it will be very hard to overcome either of them,” Munoz said.

Munoz said that Miguel Gonzalez, Emilio Butragueno and Julio Salinas, who form the core of his attack, all suffered injuries during the rough match with Algeria.

“We will have to see whether they can recover in the next few days,” Munoz said.

Spain got two goals from Ramon Caldere and one from Eloy Olaya in eliminating Algeria.

The dangerous Salinas broke neatly down the right wing to set up Spain’s first goal, in the 16th minute. He beat two defenders before pulling the ball back to Caldere, who put a shot past goalkeeper Naceredine Drid from 10 yards.

Soon after, Drid was carried off the field after colliding with a teammate. He was taken to a hospital with a neck injury and replaced by El Hadi Larbi.

Earlier, Spanish defender Andoni Goicoechea was lectured by Japanese referee Shizuo Takada for crashing into Drid.