KOBE, Japan, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Luis de la Fuente, the coach of the Spanish football team for the Olympic Games, spoke of his optimism that Spain can fight for a medal in Tokyo, while also discussing the complicated situation his players face due to the health protocols in place to prevent cases of COVID-19.
Spain will play their only warm-up match ahead of the Games on Saturday when they face Japan in Kobe after arriving a day late in the host country due to technical issues with their flight from Madrid.
"It wasn't a huge problem; our main concern was the sleep cycles of the players and avoiding jetlag - it will be resolved in a couple of days," said De la Fuente.
The coach said his players understood "the demanding protocol" against the coronavirus, explaining they had worked "in a previous bubble in Spain" to prevent infections, although he implied boredom could be a factor for his players.
"There are beautiful corridors in the hotel and some great elevators, it is the only thing we have seen, but we know what the situation requires, it is exceptional and exceptional solutions must be provided," explained De la Fuente, who said getting out to train was "a relief".
"We are acclimatizing to schedules and to the reality that we have to live through," he continued, saying that his players would understand the importance of what they were doing after when they face Egypt in their first group match.
"As soon as we get into the game against Egypt, we will understand that we are at the Games. I want everyone to understand it, because it is a unique opportunity," he commented.
With six players who were part of the Spain squad that reached the semifinals of the recent European Championship (Unai Simon, Pedri, Mikel Oyarzabal, Pau Torres, Dani Olmo and Erkc Garcia), Spain is among the favorites for gold and De la Fuente was optimistic they win the top prize.
"It would be absurd to say that we cannot achieve it," he insisted. Enditem
