Spain dispel doubts about strike power with 4-0 win

LEIPZIG, June 14 (Reuters) Strikers David Villa and Fernando Torres dispelled any doubts about Spain's lack of punch up front as they scored three of the four goals in their crushing opening victory over 10-man Ukraine today.

''I'm delighted with the goals and in particular with the win for Spain,'' Villa said after notching a double in a thumping 4-0 win in their Group H opener at Zentralstadion.

''We all hope that this will be the first step in a great World Cup. We gave our all, the fans enjoyed themselves and I hope we can continue like this.

''I had a great chance for the hat-trick but am happy to wait until the next game to get my third. The win and the goals give us all a lot of confidence, especially us strikers.'' The victory, Spain's fourth opening win in 12 attempts, gave them their best start to a World Cup.

Midfielder Xabi Alonso put Spain in front with his first goal for the national side when he stooped low to head in a Xavi corner at the near post in the 13th minute.

VILLA STRIKE Villa, the leading Spanish scorer in the Primera Liga this season with 25 goals, added a second four minutes later with a 20-metre free kick that was deflected off Ukraine defender Andriy Rusol.

The Valencia player scored his fourth goal in nine international appearances when he made it 3-0 from the penalty spot at the start of the second half after defender Vladislav Vashchyuk was sent off for tugging Torres's shorts in the area.

Torres put the icing on the cake when he blasted home nine minutes from time after Spain scythed their way through the Ukraine defence.

The 22-year-old striker, who got the winner in last week's friendly against Croatia, was especially glad to score again after a frustrating season with Atletico Madrid.

''After a bad year with my club when nothing seemed to go right, by luck I just seem to have hit some great form now,'' he said.

''I hope we can all make the most of it and enjoy it because it is the national team that is most important to me at the moment.'' ''I was pleased with what I'd done for the team before my goal.

If you work hard and do things well you're usually rewarded and it was nice that this time it was in the form of a goal.'' REUTERS SY BD2315