Iniesta hours away from 100th cap

Curitiba (Brazil), June 23 (IANS/EFE) Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta is hours away from entering his nation's Club of 100 if coach Vicente del Bosque decides to field him against Australia at the Arena da Baixada here Monday.

Despite del Bosque's decision to field players who have not played in Brazil, Iniesta's can earn his 100th cap even if he plays for a few minutes in their final Group B clash, reports Xinhua.

The match is inconsequential as both teams cannot qualify for the Round of 16.

Iniesta is widely expected to lead Spain in their 'new era' due to the expected international retirement of Xavi Hernandez and Xabi Alonso.

The Spanish Club of 100 caps includes the likes of captain Iker Casillas (156), Xavi Hernandez (133), Andoni Zubizarreta (126), Sergio Ramos (118), Xabi Alonso (113) Fernando Torres (109), Raul Gonzalez (102) and Carles Puyol (100) while the next awaited member is David Villa, who amassed 96.

--IANS/EFE

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