Bloemfontein, South Africa - United States coach Bob Bradley has confirmed that central defender Carlos Bocanegra may play against Spain in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup set for later Wednesday.

"I can say that Carlos has been in full training," said the US boss about the team's captain. "Obviously we still have to test him a little bit more and see what that means.

"But he certainly is an option in the game," he said when looking ahead to stopping Spain's vaunted attack.

Bloemfontein, South Africa - A plain, sincere man when it comes to analyzing his own role in the most successful period in Spain's history, coach Vicente Del Bosque praised predecessor Luis Aragones and stressed that there will be tougher times ahead.

During a half-an-hour interview with the German Press Agency dpa and another international agency at the hotel that was hosting Spain in Bloemfontein, South Africa, Del Bosque again made it clear that he has nothing to celebrate yet.

Bloemfontein, South Africa  - The Spanish were as shocked as the rest of the world by the US national team's dramatic turnaround from bottom of the table to the semi-finals at the Confederations Cup on Sunday night.

La Furia Roja, who meet the States in the last four on Wednesday in Bloemfontein, will be undeniable favourites to claim their 16th victory on the trot, but they thought they would be meeting Italy or Egypt as the second-place finishers from Group B.

Bloemfontein, South Africa  - Though South Africa backed their way into the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup with their 2-0 loss to Spain on Saturday night, the side were clearly deserving of their second-best finish in Group A. This was largely down to a solid defence, which only allowed those two goals in their three matches so far.

The centre of that backline is anchored most famously by Premier League-based captain Aaron Mokoena, but the true rock steady performance thus far for the hosts has been from towering veteran Matthew Booth.

Bloemfontein, South Africa - A day before their final Group A match against European champions Spain at Bloemfontein's Free State Stadium, South Africa coach Joel Santana refused to consider the possibility of his team falling at the group stage of the Confederations Cup at home.

"I am not even thinking about it," said the defiant Brazil-born boss. "I know Spain is the number one team in the world, but I have one group, I have one team and tomorrow we will play with belief and personality. If we do, we will have a good match.

"I have 100-per-cent confidence in my team."

Bloemfontein, South Africa - Though they beat Iraq 1-0 on Wednesday evening to claim a spot in the Confederations Cup semi-finals, Spanish players were not happy with the state of the pitch in Bloemfontein's Free State Stadium.

Despite the fact that there had been unseasonably heavy rains earlier in the week, many of La Roja players said the field was overly dry, which didn't allow them to play their usual flowing football and gave an advantage to the defensive tactics of Iraq.

Bloemfontein, South Africa  - A second-half header from David Villa helped tournament favourites Spain finally overcame an overly defensive Iraq 1-0 Wednesday to book their place in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup.

The win was the European champions' 34th match on the trot without defeat, moving Vicente del Bosque's side ever closer to the longest consecutive unbeaten streak in history, a run of 35 games established by Brazil between 1993 and 1996.

Bloemfontein, South Africa - The day after Egypt lost to Brazil 4-3 only on a last-minute penalty kick, two of Iraq's key players said the Asian champions were taking inspiration from the Pharaohs ahead of their Group A match-up Wednesday with mighty Spain.

"It is a good motivation for us," said captain Mahdi Kareem at a press conference at Bloemfontein's Free State Stadium. "Egypt showed that things are possible against even the best teams in the world, which Spain certainly is."

Bloemfontein, South Africa  - The Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) Monday blasted Italian and Spanish journalists for questioning Kaka about his move from AC Milan to Real Madrid.

Despite requests to keep queries focused on the Confederations Cup and World Cup, journalists have continued to ask the midfielder about the 94-million-dollar move.

Kaka had stated flatly that he was done speaking on the matter, while coach Dunga was clearly annoyed about the line of questioning, and FIFA again warned the journalists - in five languages.

Bloemfontein - Though they are popular the world over, Brazil were taken aback by the enthusiastic reaction of South African supporters Friday at their first training ahead of the Confederations Cup as a rumoured 6,000 locals sang and danced their way through the Selecao's practice.

The display at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium in the blighted township area of Rocklands, outside Bloemfontein, was commented on warmly by a handful of players the next day.

Bloemfontein - With their Confederations Cup opener against Egypt just two days away, Brazil's legion of stars took time out to speak about the transfers that have dominated football news recently - particularly compatriot Kaka's 94-million-dollar move from AC Milan to Real Madrid.

"Kaka knows that it will be a challenge to play in Spain, and to him it's very important to prove himself at such a great club," revealed Sevilla forward Luis Fabiano.

Bloemfontein (South Africa), Apr. 8 : Former Australian cricket team coach John Buchanan believes that the openers are the weak link in the ongoing one-day series against the South Africans.

The Kolkata Knight Riders coach is in Bloemfontein preparing for the second edition of the Indian Premier League that gets underway from April 18.

Buchanan believes the team owed its dominance of several years to the opening partnership of Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden.