Meanwhile, Spain says it is happy to be facing South Korea instead of Italy.

Midfielder Joaquin Sanchez said that either team would have been difficult, but he prefers Korea because it doesn't have the experience of a team like Italy.

But he acknowledged that Korea is a very hardworking team and very organized on the pitch. He said the Korean team advanced to the quarterfinals on their own merit ... not through favorable refereeing decisions as claimed by Italy.

The Spanish advanced to the quarterfinal with a penalty shootout victory over Ireland on Sunday, after a one to one tie.