World Cup 2010 - Last 16
The moment of truth has arrived - the World Cup last 16. So far this World Cup has been lacking great goals, free kicks and individuals. I'll give you some excitement here. Let me share with you Ricky Martin's Cup of Life from the 1998 World Cup:
Then enjoy Colombia's beautiful belly dancer Shakira's Waka Waka 2010 World Cup Song:
First Round
From Group A, Uruguay marched on stylishly with Mexico edging out host nation South Africa by goal difference therefore, being the first-ever host nation never to have qualified from the first round and in the process giving all future hosts relief who would be second. The French played like their escargot friends with foie gras (like snails with fatty liver) and were deservedly booted out. Actually I love French players.
Argentina so poor during qualification and springing to life now has been the most entertaining teams playing with style and verve. Greece had only one good game against Nigeria while Nigeria under-performed. South Korea kept Asian hopes alive with their fighting displays. USA showed they can excel in soccer and came back twice from the dead. Slovenia with a population of only 2 million was unluckily edged out, Algeria who had beaten African Champions Egypt to qualify showed they could give everyone a game and England continued to give their fans a roller-coaster ride. Australia rued their routing by the Germans going out narrowly and in beating the Serbs showed they could rub shoulders with the bigger boys. Serbia beat Germany and lost to both Ghana and the Socceroos, what irony.
Ghana is now Africa's only hope. Cameroon was the greatest disappointment and Denmark was undone by the other Asian hope Japan who has played beyond expectations. Holland has a perfect 100% record. Defending champions Italy went out with a whimper showing what four years can change things even with Lippi at the helm. New Zealand exceeded all expectations and already over-achieved remaining undefeated but in the World Cup being undefeated is not enough, you have to win.
Paraguay put out stellar performances and rightly deserved their place while Slovakia showed their hunger and ability in their last game victory over Italy. Brazil as expected top their group while Portugal handed out the tournament's biggest rout on PRK. Ivory Coast won in their last game but alas it wasn't enough and PKR showed their lack of experience. Spain survived a Chilean onslaught to avoid a Brazilian meeting while Chile naively gave away group leadership. Swiss clock-work grind to a halt against Honduras who got their best result. The stage is all set for the last 16.
Argentina so poor during qualification and springing to life now has been the most entertaining teams playing with style and verve. Greece had only one good game against Nigeria while Nigeria under-performed. South Korea kept Asian hopes alive with their fighting displays. USA showed they can excel in soccer and came back twice from the dead. Slovenia with a population of only 2 million was unluckily edged out, Algeria who had beaten African Champions Egypt to qualify showed they could give everyone a game and England continued to give their fans a roller-coaster ride. Australia rued their routing by the Germans going out narrowly and in beating the Serbs showed they could rub shoulders with the bigger boys. Serbia beat Germany and lost to both Ghana and the Socceroos, what irony.
Ghana is now Africa's only hope. Cameroon was the greatest disappointment and Denmark was undone by the other Asian hope Japan who has played beyond expectations. Holland has a perfect 100% record. Defending champions Italy went out with a whimper showing what four years can change things even with Lippi at the helm. New Zealand exceeded all expectations and already over-achieved remaining undefeated but in the World Cup being undefeated is not enough, you have to win.
Paraguay put out stellar performances and rightly deserved their place while Slovakia showed their hunger and ability in their last game victory over Italy. Brazil as expected top their group while Portugal handed out the tournament's biggest rout on PRK. Ivory Coast won in their last game but alas it wasn't enough and PKR showed their lack of experience. Spain survived a Chilean onslaught to avoid a Brazilian meeting while Chile naively gave away group leadership. Swiss clock-work grind to a halt against Honduras who got their best result. The stage is all set for the last 16.
The Last 16
Uruguay v South Korea
Uruguay has been playing without fear but then their opponents have been a Mexico who can play pretty, create chances but lack pure finish, a suicidal France who bit their own nose to spite the face and a mediocre host playing out of their skins. The South Korean warriors started brilliantly with victory over Greece, got cowed by Argentina and came back with a result against Nigeria. It is now Uruguay's Latin flair and guile v South Korea's fighting spirit. Uruguay has shown all-round ability thus far while the Koreans can give anyone a game on their day but the Argentines show how they can be undone. The Koreans would fare better against European or African oppositions when competing on power, speed and athleticism but may not be as comfortable with crafty Latins. Both teams scored in every game. I expect a good game with goals with the crafty Uruguayans winning 3-2.
USA v Ghana
This one could go to the wire. Uncle Sam have an excellent chance to go to the quarters with their spirited displays. Ghana has a good defence and physically strong like the USA but they lack a true striker for goals. They are Africa's last candle and all the fans will be behind them to help prevent the candle from being snuffed out. A physical contest of nerves till the end. It could have been England v Ghana, so the USA must sense their chance. I pick the USA to win 2-1.
Germany v England
England has yet to peak or have they already? The Germans are younger and fast but lacks experience. Serbia showed they can be beaten. England has not lost yet but this is Germany their nemesis in tournaments. Klose will be back and he has always fired Germany but the German defence is a little suspect. David James displayed text book goalkeeping and should calm the English back line. Glen Johnson can be a handful when attacking and combined very well with Milner on the right side but he must cover his track well when retreating. Ashley Cole is showing what he could do in both attack and defence.
John Terry has been colossal at the back and a towering influence. Upson gave a good account but will Capello bring but the more experience but slower Carragher? Or will he slot in Ledley King if he's fit. King is the best choice but only when he is fit. James Milner was the one who made the difference against Slovenia. He may not have the speed of Lennon nor the trickery of Shaun Wright Philips but his crossed were excellent and would trouble any defence. Gareth Barry may not have been 100% fit but he has been holding up reasonably well and can still up his game.
Lampard is strutting around more and can actually do more like what he has been doing at Chelsea and Gerrard who combined well with Rooney or even on his own must continue to play like he did he last game. Defoe would be soaring and his pace and acceleration could be a key to unlocking the German back line. What England truly need is the real Rooney to find his form because when he is playing his game he will be hard to stop. England must go out to play without any fear and stamp their authority in the engine room early on to go out to get a win within regulation time. What they would want to avoid will be to let the game go on into extra-time and then the dreaded penalty kicks with their unhappy memories of recent episodes playing into their minds.
England's five best penalty kickers are Lampard, Milner, Gerrard, Rooney and Barry as they are the ones responsible for their respective clubs. Lampard is supposedly one of the world's best in this expertise but in this last two in Chelsea's F.A. Cup his hot was saved and then he missed it in a friendly v Japan. But in the World Cup, if you can beat Germany, you can go on to win the World Cup. 2-1 to England I hope for all the England fans out there. Let the St. George's flag unfurl.
Frankly, I feel that it is easier to play for England than to watch them. They always put your heart in your mouth. Like playing a golf game, quite often we make things more difficult for ourselves than necessary. Now they are in the more difficult group of the knock out stage. Maybe Capello is plotting to to get rid of the more difficult teams first and then finally an easy final. Hahaha, the last line is for the England fans! First get rid of Germany over previous penalty losses and then get rid of Argentina and revenge Maradona's Hand of God cheat. God saved the Queen and may God save the Queen again. Let me entertain you with Shakira's She Wolf.....SOS she's in disguise to ease all your tension. England must be red hot like Shakira to win.
John Terry has been colossal at the back and a towering influence. Upson gave a good account but will Capello bring but the more experience but slower Carragher? Or will he slot in Ledley King if he's fit. King is the best choice but only when he is fit. James Milner was the one who made the difference against Slovenia. He may not have the speed of Lennon nor the trickery of Shaun Wright Philips but his crossed were excellent and would trouble any defence. Gareth Barry may not have been 100% fit but he has been holding up reasonably well and can still up his game.
Lampard is strutting around more and can actually do more like what he has been doing at Chelsea and Gerrard who combined well with Rooney or even on his own must continue to play like he did he last game. Defoe would be soaring and his pace and acceleration could be a key to unlocking the German back line. What England truly need is the real Rooney to find his form because when he is playing his game he will be hard to stop. England must go out to play without any fear and stamp their authority in the engine room early on to go out to get a win within regulation time. What they would want to avoid will be to let the game go on into extra-time and then the dreaded penalty kicks with their unhappy memories of recent episodes playing into their minds.
England's five best penalty kickers are Lampard, Milner, Gerrard, Rooney and Barry as they are the ones responsible for their respective clubs. Lampard is supposedly one of the world's best in this expertise but in this last two in Chelsea's F.A. Cup his hot was saved and then he missed it in a friendly v Japan. But in the World Cup, if you can beat Germany, you can go on to win the World Cup. 2-1 to England I hope for all the England fans out there. Let the St. George's flag unfurl.
Frankly, I feel that it is easier to play for England than to watch them. They always put your heart in your mouth. Like playing a golf game, quite often we make things more difficult for ourselves than necessary. Now they are in the more difficult group of the knock out stage. Maybe Capello is plotting to to get rid of the more difficult teams first and then finally an easy final. Hahaha, the last line is for the England fans! First get rid of Germany over previous penalty losses and then get rid of Argentina and revenge Maradona's Hand of God cheat. God saved the Queen and may God save the Queen again. Let me entertain you with Shakira's She Wolf.....SOS she's in disguise to ease all your tension. England must be red hot like Shakira to win.
Argentina v Mexico
The thing about the World Cup is about timing and about peaking at the right time. Seldom does a team win it by playing swashbuckling football from start to end. Argentina was slack and almost did not qualify but have been the brightest spark. Can they sustain this peak or did they peaked too early? Their defence looked a little suspect but is the best going forward especially with Messi already so brilliant without reaching his peak. Mexico has played well but for the chances they have created they have not exactly buried them. The Argentines should ace this one 3-1 but better opponents after this will be a real test.
Holland v Slovakia
The Oranje has the best record of remaining unbeaten at internationals and a perfect record in the first round but they were lucky against the Danes, won 1-0 over Japan and edged Cameroon. Sometimes, a champion team wins despite playing not to well. Could this be it? Or have they peaked too early? Their results peaked but their performances have not. Slovakia can trouble the Dutch because Group E opposition has not been exactly top notch. This could be a tight game ending two a piece at 2-2 and going into extra-time with the Dutch going through because Arjen Robben like the Terminator will be back.
Brazil v Chile
The Brazilians hardly break sweat to top their group. They gave a solid performance v Ivory Coast. Julio Cesar will win the best goalie title with his safe hands and Lucio has been outstanding. Maicon will be back to try another banana split special and so too Kaka whose enforced rest may do him some good as he has yet to hit top form. Robinho could conjure some magic and he seemed to be the only sambal in their samba as Dunga churns out typical continental performances. Chile showed they are very good and could have denied Spain but they were naive being top of their group and only needing a draw to avoid Brazil. Their golaie coming out of the penalty box clearing the ball only to David Villa who floated a bender into the corner of the net allowed Spain to come back. The they confounded everyone but getting yellow cards unnecessarily to rule at least two players out through automatic suspension. Brazil of course for a 2-0 win.
Paraguay v Japan
Kudos to the Japanese to have come so far especially that resounding 3-1 win over Denmark would have boosted their confidence tremendously. No matter what team you are or what game you play, confidence is a funny thing which can make you feel ten foot tall or only three foot short for the lack of it. It is also very true when you get a goal or two. But the question is can Japan pull out more rabbits from their hats or have they exhausted all avenues? Like the Koreans they will tend to fare better against European or African opposition but Paraguay will be a different kettle of fish. 1-0 to Paraguay.
Spain v Portugal
Portugal had a poor qualifying campaign and their only victory was a handsome 7-0 thrashing of PRK. They are a good team but their last game with Brazil was a non-event. Their 7-0 win could have been their peak. You will see more diving from the Portuguese especially in and around he penalty box where they will fly without anyone touching them. Except for their opening hiccup by the Swiss, Spain has yet to really step up a gear and David Villa is already on three goals and could go on to win the Golden Boot, all these without Fernando Torres firing on all cylinders. Chile gave them a good game and this is a game where we should get to see the Spaniards showing their true colour but Portugal could be stubborn. 2-1 to Spain.
Quarter-Finals
Brazil, England, Holland and Spain has not really peak while Argentina seems in-form. If my prediction comes true, this will be the Quarter-Finals line-up:
Holland v Brazil
Uruguay v USA
Argentina v England
Paraguay v Spain
Enjoy, it's gonna be another four years before it comes around in Brazil and there are not many games left.
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