June 19, 2006	Monday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 22, 1427

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STUTTGART, June 18: Spain are out to prove that their scintillating start to the World Cup was no fluke when they play Tunisia in their second Group H match on Monday.

Luis Aragones's side dismantled a much-fancied Ukraine team 4-0 win on Wednesday, raising hopes that, after half a century of World Cup disappointments, 2006 could be their year.

Match starts at 12.00 midnight

“We couldn't have made a better start and we can't let opportunities like this pass us by,” said striker Fernando Torres who added the finishing touch to one of the finest team goals of the tournament when he scored his side's fourth.

“We have to make the most of the fact that so many of our players seem to be in such good form,” he said.

However, the 22-year-old believes Spain will only build on their success so far if they do not get carried away by the euphoria that has greeted the victory back home.

“We've done nothing so far, we've just played one good game,” he said.

“We have to approach our next game with the same humility we showed in the first.”

The comprehensive nature of Spain's victory, which extended their unbeaten run to 23 games, means Aragones is unlikely to make any changes to the starting lineup.

Playmaker Xavi believes Spain will win again but expects a much tougher match against the 2004 African champions.

“On paper we are superior to Tunisia but they play at a frenetic rhythm and are a skilful side, probably more skilful than Ukraine,” he said.

Tunisia, who needed a last-gasp goal from defender Radhi Jaidi to snatch a 2-2 draw against Saudi Arabia in their opening game, are confident they can produce a much-improved performance against the group leaders.

“Sure we will be motivated,” said Jaidi. “They are a big team with big players. We can repair what we've done. In any case we can't do as badly or worse than in the last game. We must concentrate and keep cool.”

Once more Tunisia will have to do without injured leading striker Francileudo dos Santos. The Brazilian-born player, who has scored 18 goals in 28 matches, is out with a shin injury.

Their French coach Roger Lemerre believes qualification will rest on his side's final match against Ukraine and has hinted that he may rest some players.

Now at their fourth World Cup finals, Tunisia have won just one of their previous 10 games when they beat Mexico 3-1 in their debut in Argentina in 1978.

Probable teams:

SPAIN (4-3-3): 1-Iker Casillas; 15-Sergio Ramos, 5-Carles Puyol, 22-Pablo Ibanez, 3-Mariano Pernia; 16-Marcos Senna, 14-Xabi Alonso, 8-Xavi; 11-Luis Garcia, 9-Fernando Torres, 21-David Villa.

TUNISIA (4-4-2): 1-Ali Boumnijel; 6-Hatem Trabelsi, 15-Radhi Jaidi, 3-Karim Hagui, 18-David Jemmali; 20-Hamed Namouchi, 12-Joahar Mnari, 14-Adel Chedli, 13-Riadh Bouazizi; 5-Ziad Jaziri, 9-Yassine Chikhaoui.

Referee: Carlos Simon (Brazil).—Reuters