The head coach of Spain's women's crisis-hit national team, Jorge Vilda, claims he has the best Spanish squad possible as he brands questions surrounding the revolt among his country's leading players as "disrespectful".
Vilda has been at the centre of a storm which has engulfed the Spanish side since September last year when a cohort of leading players called for him to quit.
The Spanish FA has stuck by the coach, now in Sydney for Cup of Nations games against Jamaica, hosts Australia and Czechia with a squad short of star power.
Experienced Barcelona goalkeeper Sandra Panos is one of 15 players to withdraw while midfielder Alexia Putellas, the winner of the 2022 Ballon D'Or, is out injured and has indicated her support for her teammates.
The Spanish coach on Wednesday, however, hit back at questions that he hadn't selected the strongest La Roja side possible.
"I am asking for respect for my team," Vilda said through an interpreter.
"We are preparing for a World Cup and your questions seem a bit disrespectful towards the team.
"I have the best team that I want to train and nothing else."
Vilda, whose side begin their Cup of Nations with a clash against Jamaica in Gosford on Thursday, was keen to point to his side's recent form as reason why they hoped to lift the World Cup in Australia later this year.
La Roja, ranked world No. 7, are undefeated since the revolt and picked up a 2-0 victory over reigning world champions USA in October.
"We had a draw with Sweden and we beat the USA and that meant we went up in the rankings by one spot," Vilda said.
"Spain always has great aspirations."
Spain face the Matildas at Parramatta's CommBank Stadium on Sunday before finishing their Cup of Nations campaign against the Czechs.
