Spain jeered after another defeat

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CADIZ, Spain -- Spain left the pitch in Cadiz to a barrage of jeers and whistles after suffering their third defeat in four games, a 1-0 friendly loss to Romania.

Spain controlled possession, as they often do, but failed to turn their dominance into goals and lost to an individual effort from Shakhtar Donetsk player Ciprian Marica in the 58th minute.

Debutant David Silva of Valencia was Spain's brightest player in an unfamiliar line-up, but missed their best chance to equalize in the 64th minute.

Spain lost their last two Euro 2008 qualifiers in Group F, against Northern Ireland and Sweden, this latest setback did little to placate their supporters.

Along with midfielder Silva, Spain had two other players winning their first caps with Javi Navarro and Angel starting in defense.

The home side started brightly, zipping the ball about and probing the visitors' well organized defense. Silva caught the eye down the left putting in an industrious, direct performance.

Romania's Daniel Coman was by far the busier of the two goalkeepers, denying Silva, David Villa and Fernando Morientes, but Spain struggled to carve clear chances.

They were almost caught out just before the break when Romania broke on a swift counter-attack and Iker Casillas had to be quick off his line to deny Marica in a one-on-one.

The warning was not heeded. As Romania showed more purpose after the break, Marica, who has scored twice in Euro 2008 qualifiers, surged forward from midfield and fired low across goal into the far corner.

Soon after, Spain striker Villa hooked the ball back for Valencia team mate Silva, but the youngster's close-range volley hit Coman's legs on the line.

Romania, unbeaten and third in Group G, almost made it two when defender Cristian Chivu's free kick in the 72nd minute was spectacularly saved under the bar by Casillas.

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