To accomplish their mission of finishing top of Group B, Spain will need to beat a defence-minded Jordan side that has let in only two goals in their maiden FIFA U-20 World Cup, one of those from the penalty spot.

The games
Spain v Jordan, Burnaby, 7 July, 14:15 (local time)

The stakes
Despite having four points in the bank, the Spaniards have not been very pleased with their performances to date. Their aim against Jordan will be to get the win that secures their passage as group winners, and to recapture the kind of form that took them to the UEFA U-19 European Championship last season. The Middle Easterners have every reason to be content with their showing so far and were unlucky not to claim a point against Uruguay. Aware that their next challenge will be their toughest, Jan Poulsen's side will once again adopt a defensive strategy and hope that the woodwork does not deny their front men this time.

The players
There are no suspensions on either side. Jordan will welcome back Tariq Al Jumah after he completed his one-match ban against Uruguay. Despite not having any injury worries, all the indications are that Spain coach Gines Melendez will reshuffle his high-quality pack and give some of his first-teamers a much-needed break.

The past
The two countries have never met before at any age level. In six meetings with Asian opposition, Spain have won four, drawn one and lost on only one occasion, a 2-0 defeat to Iraq in 1989.

The words
Gines Melendez, Spain coach. "We need to get back to our usual style of play. The heat and tiredness are taking their toll but we'll try and combat that by bringing in some fresh legs. The boys are still anxious to hit top form."

Jan Poulsen, Jordan coach. "Personally I'm very happy with the team's performance. They've come up against professional players who take part in strong leagues and they've done well. The Spain game will be even more difficult because they're a solid side and, as far as I'm concerned, with better players. I know we're using very defensive formation but that's what we've got to do."

Antonio Barragan, Spain defender. "It's going to be a tough match, but our only intention is to win the group. We were tired by the end of the Zambia game, but there's a lot of quality in the squad and there are plenty of guys who can come in and perform."