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CONFEDERATIONS CUP PREVIEW: MATA EYES MEDAL
Posted on: Wed 12 Jun 2013
Juan Mata is hoping Spain can complete the set and lift the Confederations Cup in Brazil this month.
The Chelsea Player of the Year has already won the European Championships and World Cup, but has one international medal still to receive, and is eager for success having participated in the competition back in 2009.
'This is a special tournament for me, since I had the chance to participate back in 2009, in my first competition with the senior team,' he tells the official Chelsea website.
'I was lucky enough to play in our first Confederations Cup in South Africa (pictured below), and it's important because you gain experience of the country where the World Cup will be played, you get a feel for the place and the atmosphere.
'It's also the only trophy missing for us and I think with our manager, the group of players and our winning mentality, we have a good chance of making it the perfect summer.
'It would be amazing for this group of players. We've won two Euros, the World Cup and winning the Confederations Cup would be the full circle.'
Mata is joined in the national squad by Fernando Torres and Cesar Azpilicueta. They warmed up for the tournament by beating Haiti and Republic of Ireland in the United States this week, the midfielder making both goals in the first match and scoring a fine one in the second.
Spain will meet African champions Nigeria in the group stages, bringing a reunion with Chelsea team-mate John Mikel Obi. Sadly Victor Moses is ruled out through injury but young defender Kenneth Omeruo is in the squad.
'We have a chance to play against Nigeria and John Mikel Obi, and hopefully we will have a chance to play against Brazil as well, where we have a few players, so Chelsea will be well represented at the competition,' Mata says.
The Confederations Cup was a biennial tournament until 2005, since when it has taken place every four years, acting as a dress rehearsal in the host nation for the forthcoming World Cup.
The participants are generally the reigning continental champions representing each of FIFA's confederations, plus the hosts and the World Cup holders. With Spain both European and World champions, Italy are competing this year as Euro 2012 runners-up.
They are in a group with Japan plus Brazil and Mexico, who play the tournament's opening match on Saturday in Brasilia.
Spain start Group B on Sunday by facing Uruguay in Recife, before playing tournament minnows Tahiti next Thursday, concluding with their match against Nigeria in Fortaleza three days later.
The group winners will face the second-placed side from the other group in the semi-finals, with the final taking place in the rebuilt Maracana in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday 30 June. Brazil are going for a hat-trick of wins.
Having played in last summer's Olympic Games and Euro 2012, Mata more than most is due a rest, but he is already targeting next season's Barclays Premier League crown, following the appointment of Jose Mourinho last week.
Mata identifies a strong start to the season, following our pre-season trips to Asia and America, as the key. Last season we began well but faded from the title race, but he is determined to keep the pace with a more experienced squad this time around.
'Winning the Champions League, FA Cup and Europa League was great, but I really want to win the Premier League title next season,' said the Spaniard. 'If we start well I think we can do it. We have a great squad and fantastic supporters behind us, so hopefully we can do it.
'For me it would be amazing to win four trophies in three seasons. It would be a very special feeling to win the Premier League title and I'm looking forward to hopefully doing so.
'I think we have the squad - we have enough class to do it.'
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