Casillas was fit to play: Del Bosque

Iker Casillas is unable to stop Luis Suarez of Uruguay scoring his team’s first goal from a free-kick during the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 Group B match between Spain and Uruguay at the Arena Pernambuco on June 16, 2013 in Recife, Brazil. (Getty Images)

Revife (Spain), June 17 (IANS): Spain coach Vicente del Bosque refused to be drawn into the argument on why he chose goalkeeper Iker Casillas in his starting lineup over Victor Valdes against Uruguay in their Confederations Cup opener.

Casillas had not played a competitive match since January and many predicted Valdes would be first-choice in goal for La Roja’s opening Confederations Cup Group B match, reports Xinhua.

‘I have seen it fit (to play Casillas),’ Del Bosque said after Spain’s 2-1 victory over La Celeste at Arena Pernambuco. ‘All three goalkeepers in our squad (Casillas, Valdes and Pepe Reina) are very good.’

Despite having recovered from a hand injury in March, Casillas was overlooked by former Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho for the remainder of the season in favor of Diego Lopez.

He was barely tested against Uruguay, Sunday, beaten only by a sublime Luiz Suarez free-kick two minutes from time.