Spain include Susaeta for Panama friendly

Madrid, Nov 10 (IANS) Spanish football coach Vicente del Bosque named Athletic Club Bilbao winger Markel Susaeta in his 19-man squad for the away friendly international against Panama slated for Nov 15.

Susaeta is the only new name in a squad which also sees a recall for Barcelona’s young full back Martin Montoya, who was called up in August 2011, but never got to make his debut, and Chelsea’s Juan Mata, who missed out on the last squad, reports Xinhua.

Susaeta’s call up is slightly surprising given that he performed much better last season when his club reached the final of the Europa League and the Copa del Rey, but failed to receive any international recognition, while this season his form, like many of his teammates, has not hit the same height.

Montoya meanwhile has performed well this season and shown he is a more than able deputy to Dani Alves. His call up means there are eight Barcelona players in Del Bosque’s squad and just three from Real Madrid.

Meanwhile, there is no place for Chelsea striker Fernando Torres or Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina.

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas and Victor Valdes

Defenders: Martin Montoya, Sergio Ramos, Raul Albiol, Jordi Alba and Juanfran Torres

Midfielders: Sergio Bisquets, Andres Iniesta, Javi Martinez, Cesc Fabrigas, Benat Extaberria, Xavi Hernandez, Xabi Alonso, Santi Cazorla, Perdo Rodriguez, Jesus Navas and Markel Susaeta

Strikers: Juan Mata, Roberto Soldado and David Villa

IANS 2012-11-10 13:04:11