Pepe Reina plans to thwart David Healy

Nov 20 2007

Jose Reina is expected to return to the Spain team tomorrow and the Liverpool goalkeeper has twin ambitions.

He wants to help his country win their qualifying group as well as preventing Northern Ireland’s David Healy adding to his 13-goal record haul.

There will be a carnival atmosphere in Las Palmas after Spain secured their passage to Euro 2008 by beating Sweden at the weekend.

Reina is determined not to disappoint the passionate local supporters, who will come in numbers.

He said: “I cannot accept we have nothing left to play for.

“It is an honour to represent your country. We want to finish first in the group and we want to please our fans.”

Northern Ireland have an outside chance of qualifying after defeating Denmark at the weekend.

However they have to beat Spain and hope Latvia do the same against Sweden in Stockholm.

The province’s progress has been remarkable thanks mainly to Healy’s goals and a tremendous patriotism among the squad.

Reina said: “As a player, Healy is in really good form and you have to respect that.

“He has to be rated among the top strikers I have faced, given his record.

“But it is not just about one man. The whole team have had a good campaign and could still qualify.

“We have to make sure we take care of their strengths because they a side in form at the moment.”

Spain also want to make up for the 3-2 defeat in Belfast early in the campaign when Healy got all the goals.

That almost damaged their prospects of qualifying but they have come good at the right time.

Reina added: “The result against Northern Ireland still hurts because we did not expect it. We need to beat them tomorrow.”