Iniesta hopes to make mark

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta is looking to cement his place in Spain’s squad by shining against Saudi Arabia in Friday’s World Cup Group H clash.

With the Spaniards having already sealed their place to the knock-out stages following straight victories against Ukraine and Tunisia, national coach Luis Aragones will rest his top players for their last group clash in Hamburg.

Iniesta, fourth in the pecking order behind Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso, Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas and club-mate Xavi, is set to play against the Saudis.

“I cannot wait to make my World Cup debut,” said Iniesta.

“I hope everything goes well and more importantly, that I can contribute to Spain’s third consecutive victory.”

The 22-year-old attracted the attention of Aragones after his solid campaign with Barcelona, where he proved a sturdy substitute for the then injured Xavi.

Now he is hoping to earn a regular spot in the Spanish side.

“I can play in all three positions in midfield,” said Iniesta. “It wouldn’t be a problem.

“All I want is to prove that I’m ready whenever the coach needs me.”

Iniesta believes it is good to compete for a place against top players like Xavi or Fabregas.

“It only makes you a better player and I like the healthy competitiveness that exists in the group,” he said.

“I already compete against great players at my club.

“Xavi has more experience but Cesc has already proved that he has the quality to play in top games.”

Spain will not have it easy as Saudi Arabia have not given up hopes of reaching the knock-out stages, according to their number one goalkeeper Mabrouk Zaid.

Marco Paqueta’s side must beat the Spaniards and hope that Tunisia hold Ukraine to a draw in order to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

Zaid believes that his team have to show a major improvement following their 4-0 debacle against the Ukrainians.

“We lost the game against Ukraine because of mistakes from our own players,” said Zaid.

“We didn’t play well and we will have to change the way we play for the match against Spain.

“We hope we can still progress, but we rely also on the result of others.”