World Cup 2010 - Last 16 To Last 8

Uruguay v S. Korea (2-1)

I predicted a 3-2 win for Uruguay. Uruguay has been doing very well, above expectations and blessed with an easier route they could find themselves in the rarefied air of the semi-finals. The South Koreans should feel very proud of themselves and Asia for going so far and playing a good game against Uruguay. Throughout they showed no fear and England can take a leaf here. Uruguay showed their all-round strength and ability and now face a physical Ghanaian side - Africa's last hope for glory. Whoever ace this one will meet Brazil or Holland. With a small population of 3.5 million, all small countries and small teams can learn from Uruguay.

USA v Ghana (1-2)

I have predicted the USA to win 2-1 after getting stretched till the end. The Americans were unfortunate not to be rewarded for their gallant efforts. They had numerous chances but did not convert and didn't play as well as in their previous games. Giving away an early goal to Ghana the US fought back once again and has been the best come back team this World Cup but even they ran out of come backs when Ghana scored in extra-time. Credit to Ghana for a resilient display and victory.

Germany v England (4-1)

England had themselves to blame. Heaven gave them a favourable draw to top their group which means they should have met Ghana and having never lost to an African team their progress from this side seems much easier. Avoiding the Germans when you are not in peak form makes sense so if they were to beat Ghana they would meet Uruguay and if they proceed then to meet Brazil or Holland and if you can beat Brazil then you could beat either Argentina or Spain. It was a game that England could actually win. Even the Germans respect that but they gave away two goals. First Manuel Neuer's goal kick was allowed to bounce then the Jabulani took a wicked swerve. Every experienced defender knows that one cannot allow the ball to bounce over, away from you and you have to attack it before it bounce. It eluded of all people John Terry and Upson wasn't as strong as Klose. A repeat defensive error gave Germany a 2-0 lead. It is never easy to overcome a 2-0 deficit especially in the World Cup and worse to Germany but 5 minutes after the horror Upson made amends to score with a firm header. A minute from here, Lampard was fed off by Defoe with a thunderous effort which hit the underside of the crossbar and went in over the line by almost a yard. With no signal from the linesman, the referee waved play on. What an irony for everyone at the stadium and on TV saw it except those that matters - the match officials. Don't blame them for it is impossible from where they are to see or to know. I have an issue with FIFA on this absurdity which will be addressed another time.

We should not assume that England will win if the goal was rightfully awarded but after giving away to easy goal and coming back really with 5 minutes to get one and then another minute to get another convincing one going in at half-time level could alter the game somewhat differently. One thing for sure is you don't have to be chasing a game with 45 minutes ticking away by throwing more men up which will expose you to counters. Still, credit to the Germans for their awesome abilities in counter attacks. Watch out Argentina! Last time Germany beat England, they went on to win the World Cup. Wunderbar! For this the Germans have to thank the injury to captain Michael Ballack which forced coach Joachim Loew to reshuffle the line up playing at a faster tempo with Thomas Muller and Oezil. When you see the cameras zooming in and showing more of David Beckham who is not playing than Wayne Rooney, you know the state and situation England was in.

Argentina v Mexico (3-1)

Well, spot on with my prediction this time. Before the World Cup, the Argentine team was poor and see how they dance with joy in their play now almost winning at will and playing attractively. Higuain could end up with the Golden Boot with four goals now. Messi has been the Best Player so far. We are yet to have a challenger to Messi's throne to add another feather to his cap. Maybe Maradona has finally liberated him and his best is yet to be. Mexico should be given credit for their gutsy displays throughout. Tevez's goal was off-side to add to the voices and calls for video technology that FIFA has ignored continuously.

Holland v Slovakia (2-1)

The frightening thing is that the Dutch has gotten this far without peaking in form. Their next opponent is Brazil. I think Brazil is the team to beat as they are strong in all areas. Only something spectacular from the Dutch could stop them. This Dutch team is not playing total football of their predecessors but playing pretty won them no titles only admirers.

Paraguay v Japan

I did pick Paraguay to win by the slimmest margin. Both teams did not looked like they wanted to win it in regulation. Even extra-time did not throw up anything so it went to the dreaded penalty kicks. All the penalty kicks were well taken even for the Japanese until they missed one. England can learn here on penalties. 5-3 to Paraguay.

Spain v Portugal

Here I have predicted Spain to win 2-1 but they won 1-0 with a David Villa special having 7 shots and a goal. Wayne Rooney are you watching? The top three teams in this World Cup have to be Spain, Brazil and Argentina for the level they played. Spain, the pass master was in a class of their own when it came to retaining possession, simply watching them spray the ball around to devastating effect was spectacular. They could easily pass the ball around for more than twenty times as they pleased was awesome. They could pass their opponents to death. If they continue their way of playing and a steady stream of youth in supply, Spain will continue to dominate. When you see that Cesc Fabregas is not even in the first XI, you know they have a great team. Why not give Fabregas to England? Meantime, Cristiano Ronaldo followed club mate Rooney into obscurity playing not much better. That leaves us with Lionel Messi as the best player so far but he has no goal to show or maybe guys like David Villa, Gonzalo Higuain could outdo him as they scored the goals?

Brazil v Chile (3-0)

It was close as I have predicted 3-1. Brazil was simply brilliant without really having beads of sweat to their brow. Mind you Chile is a good team but they too could not touch the masters who has added steel to their game under Dunga. This has set up a mouth watering clash with the Flying Dutchmen but the samba has gone. Only overnight belacan that has dried out. No dazzling attacking displays here.

Quarter-Finals

Holland v Brazil

Brazil has been the most steady team so far. They have disposed Chile with consummate ease. Except for that Portugal match which they did not need to win, they have won convincingly which is something not unexpected. Holland didn't look so convincing during the first round but they continue to win. Can they keep up the perfect record or lose this all important game and be back in Amsterdam? At this stage, it is anything goes but Brazil has shown great resilience and ability and I do believe even the Dutch will not stop them and I expect them to win 2-1 in regulation time. Kaka and Fabiano have been combining well doing what Gerrard and Rooney intended but could not. Holland need to be at their best versus Brazil. Who doesn't? Two attacking teams are now playing a 4-2-3-1 formation meaning 2 defensive midfielders, three other midfielders and one forward. No wonder the great Johann Cruyff cringed.

Uruguay v Ghana

Ghana is the African continent's last hope and will have strong support but they will face injuries and suspension. Uruguay is on song and building up nicely. Ghana may not be enough to stop them here. 2-1 to Uruguay but captain Lugano must continue to marshal his defence well and Suarez and Forlan need to capitalise on an chances for it is 11 versus 60,000 vuvuzelas.

Argentina v Germany

Traditional World Cup giants who were not as heralded before they came here but now all soccer fans are salivating with the prospects what could be a great game after watching the Germans thrashed England and how Argentina beat the Mexicans. Both teams have defensive frailties and while the Germans showed how swift they are in the counter attacks, Argentina displayed joy and confidence in the way they have been playing. It will be close but we have Messi doing the Tango and my heart will go to Argentina winning it 3-2. Germany played well to tame England but were they that good or was England poor? It was a blessing in disguise for the Germans for if captain Ballack were fit they will play around him at a slower tempo. Sometimes in life, we just do not see the blessings.

Paraguay v Spain

Paraguay struggled against the Japanese. Although the scoreboard showed Spain 1 Portugal 0, Spain will continue to dominate and will outclass Paraguay. It will just be about how many Spain can score from their creation. I say 2-0 to Spain. Torres has been disappointing so far and Spain can have all the possession but still lose if they do not score. Spain is a team that makes the ball do the dirty work even better than Brazil and Argentina so you will know why England players are always going to be more tired losing the ball more often and running around a lot more chasing it back. When you see where Paraguayan model Larissa Riquelme puts her cell phone in the papers, you know that you will go bankrupt trying to sell cell phone holders there. Pity the USA is out, otherwise, Madonna (not Maradona) will be there wearing her underwear outside with vuvuzelas sticking out and tooting and will be more than a match.

Semi- Finals

From my above picks, it will be:

Brazil V Uruguay

Argentina V Spain

A Brazil V Spain or Argentina Final will be good for football as they play great soccer. The heartbreak will be that either Argentina or Spain will be out.

It is time for FIFA to consider giving more berths to Asia after all, Asia's has 2 teams in Japan and South Korea who went past the first round and that is 50% out of four teams while the African continent has only one through Ghana and that is 1 out of 6 teams. European teams fared the worst while the South Americans became the standard bearer with four teams in the quarter-finals for the first time in Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina. Power shift?

The worst team in this World Cup has to be France and Italy, take heart England. France self-destruct and imploded. At least Italy tired to put up a good fight. Both were 2006 Runners-Up and Champions. It has been a disappointing World Cup if you ask me lacking in quality, goals, action, drama and star players who give us moments of breathtaking genius.

Golden Boot

Uruguay's Suarez, Spain's David Villa, Brazil's Fabiano, Argentina's Higuain, Holland's Sneijder could win the Golden Boot as they have the goals and their teams are still in contention.

Best Player

While Messi has been the most mesmerizing, he does not have a goal to show. Other big guns with big reputation or in goal poaching have already received the "boot". Rooney was hopeless, Ronaldo was not much better and Torres was not even noticed to be there. Kaka was not as explosive. Injury could have been a big culprit. Torres, Rooney and Kaka were injured just before the World Cup. In such a tournament, sometimes you need great individual virtuoso performances to inspire and carry your team or you need the team to carry such individuals further or some kind of goal-scoring feat. Messi is ready o do just that - unleashing the magic!