Spain recalls Mata for Panama friendly

By foxsports
Published

Juan Mata was summoned by Spain for next week's friendly against Panama but not his Chelsea teammate Fernando Torres.

Barcelona back Martin Montoya and Athletic Bilbao forward Markel Susaeta were also recalled to the 19-man squad by coach Vicente del Bosque on Friday.

''We have the obligation to little by little give chances to our under-21 players and that's why we decided to bring Montoya,'' Del Bosque said. ''And, even though he doesn't fit in that profile, we also brought Susaeta, who is playing well and comes from an historic club.

''They represent many players that we want to call up, but we can't bring everyone.''

Spain plays at Panama's Rommel Fernandez Stadium on Wednesday, its first match since seeing its qualifying record of 24 straight wins broken by its 1-1 draw with France. Atletico Madrid defender Juanfran Torres, whose lost ball led to France's late equalizer, has been retained.

Del Bosque also left off regular members Xavi Hernandez, Xabi Alonso, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Alvaro Arbeloa and Pepe Reina.

Spain is level on points with France at the top of Europe's Group I in qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where it hopes to seek an unprecedented fourth major title in a row.

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Spain:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Victor Valdes (Barcelona).

Defenders: Martin Montoya (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Juanfran Torres (Atletico Madrid), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich).

Midfielders: Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Benat Etxebarria (Real Betis).

Forwards: David Villa (Barcelona), Markel Susaeta (Athletic Bilbao), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Roberto Soldado (Valencia), Juan Mata (Chelsea).