Spain's national soccer team manager, Luis Aragones, told a press conference on Monday he had chosen a 23-man World Cup team that is weighted towards the defense, and includes Raul and Xavi, who have recently recovered from injury.

Aragones chose a midfielder, Marchena, over Fernando Morientes, a forward for English league team Liverpool in the final cut, making the team look defensive rather than attacking. But he said that his team would continue with an attacking formula.

"The system is the same even if the list might look more defensive," Aragones told reporters at a conference in De Las Rozas Football City. In any case, he said he had focused less on systems than in making sure "that the people who had joined the team are ready to work (whatever) system and (form) a good team."

Aragones had cut four players from a previous 27-player shortlist to make Monday's announcement: as well as Morientes those who went were: Reuben Baraja, a mid-fielder for Spanish league team Valencia; Javia Venta from Spain's Villareal; and Joan Capdevila, who plays for Spain's Deportivo La Coruna.

Editor: Donald