Post by ogsdog on Jul 1, 2010 16:14:07 GMT -1
1.) Brazil
The Brazilians were back to their samba-style best against Chile in the Round of 16 and are playing the type of football that wins trophies. The Selecao simply aren’t giving up any cheap goals, and in the event that their rock-solid defense does make a mistake, Julio Cesar is backing them up in net. Up front, Luis Fabiano and Robinho are clicking as well, which all leads to bad news for the Dutch on Friday
2.) Germany
They may be young and somewhat inexperienced on the big stage, but the Germans are energized, motivated and confident. Die Mannschaft took care of business in one of the toughest groups at the World Cup, then disposed of an England squad with plenty of talent as if the Three Lions were a fourth-division club team from Wales.
Germany simply shows up at tournament time and that could be bad news for Argentina in the quarterfinals.
3.) Argentina
Has any team been more entertaining than the Albicelestes and their wildly flamboyant coach Diego Maradona? Probably not, but they also haven’t been truly tested yet. That will all change on Saturday when they face Germany. Should the Argentines win the match? Sure, but all the harmony and good times could come to a crashing end in Cape Town against Miroslav Klose and his gang.
4.) Spain
The Spaniards control possession better than any team in the World Cup and they showed it against Portugal for 90 minutes on Tuesday. While Fernando Torres is still struggling to get going in South Africa, David Villa is stealing all the headlines and is the top candidate to win the Golden Boot award with a fortuitous quarterfinal matchup against an overmatched Paraguay on Saturday. The only question for La Furia is whom they would rather face in the semifinals – Argentina or Germany?
5.) The Netherlands
The Dutch are winning and that is of course the name of the game, but they’re struggling to finish off great chances and seem to be getting a bit weaker as the World Cup progresses. From a talent standpoint, the Orange are second to none, but as we’ve seen with teams like France, Italy and England, it takes a collective effort to go far in a major tournament. It won’t be the biggest upset of all time if Holland knocks Brazil out of the Cup on Friday, but it’s still pretty unlikely based on current form.
6.) Uruguay
Luis Suarez is in sparkling form and doing wonders for his transfer value when he leaves Ajax this summer. As a team, the Celestes are tough to break down and also have the benefit of a great draw with a clear path to the semifinals. Will Ghana trouble them? Of course, Uruguay is not Brazil, but the team is playing with confidence right now. Uruguay’s defense is stubborn and they’ve got two game changers in Suarez and Diego Forlan, so all roads lead to an all-South American semifinal in that half of the bracket.
7.) Ghana
One of the youngest sides in the World Cup, the Black Stars carried a continent’s hopes on their shoulders against the USA in the Round of 16 and came up aces. Yet while the Americans would squander numerous chances to score against Ghana, Uruguay won’t be that forgiving. An injury to star striker Asamoah Gyan will not help their chances against the South Americans, either. Unfortunately for fans in Africa, it’s the end of the line in 2010.
8.) Paraguay
Paraguay may have slipped past Japan on penalties in the Round of 16, but anyone watching the game saw an energetic and skilled Samurai Blue create the better of the chances throughout the 120 minute affair. Plain and simple, Paraguay got lucky to advance, but now they’ll be cruelly exposed by a Spanish side chomping at the bit to turn on the style and round into form. At the end of the day, it’s been a successful World Cup for the Paraguayans, but there will be no more celebrating in Asuncion after Tuesday.
The Brazilians were back to their samba-style best against Chile in the Round of 16 and are playing the type of football that wins trophies. The Selecao simply aren’t giving up any cheap goals, and in the event that their rock-solid defense does make a mistake, Julio Cesar is backing them up in net. Up front, Luis Fabiano and Robinho are clicking as well, which all leads to bad news for the Dutch on Friday
2.) Germany
They may be young and somewhat inexperienced on the big stage, but the Germans are energized, motivated and confident. Die Mannschaft took care of business in one of the toughest groups at the World Cup, then disposed of an England squad with plenty of talent as if the Three Lions were a fourth-division club team from Wales.
Germany simply shows up at tournament time and that could be bad news for Argentina in the quarterfinals.3.) Argentina
Has any team been more entertaining than the Albicelestes and their wildly flamboyant coach Diego Maradona? Probably not, but they also haven’t been truly tested yet. That will all change on Saturday when they face Germany. Should the Argentines win the match? Sure, but all the harmony and good times could come to a crashing end in Cape Town against Miroslav Klose and his gang.
4.) Spain
The Spaniards control possession better than any team in the World Cup and they showed it against Portugal for 90 minutes on Tuesday. While Fernando Torres is still struggling to get going in South Africa, David Villa is stealing all the headlines and is the top candidate to win the Golden Boot award with a fortuitous quarterfinal matchup against an overmatched Paraguay on Saturday. The only question for La Furia is whom they would rather face in the semifinals – Argentina or Germany?
5.) The Netherlands
The Dutch are winning and that is of course the name of the game, but they’re struggling to finish off great chances and seem to be getting a bit weaker as the World Cup progresses. From a talent standpoint, the Orange are second to none, but as we’ve seen with teams like France, Italy and England, it takes a collective effort to go far in a major tournament. It won’t be the biggest upset of all time if Holland knocks Brazil out of the Cup on Friday, but it’s still pretty unlikely based on current form.
6.) Uruguay
Luis Suarez is in sparkling form and doing wonders for his transfer value when he leaves Ajax this summer. As a team, the Celestes are tough to break down and also have the benefit of a great draw with a clear path to the semifinals. Will Ghana trouble them? Of course, Uruguay is not Brazil, but the team is playing with confidence right now. Uruguay’s defense is stubborn and they’ve got two game changers in Suarez and Diego Forlan, so all roads lead to an all-South American semifinal in that half of the bracket.
7.) Ghana
One of the youngest sides in the World Cup, the Black Stars carried a continent’s hopes on their shoulders against the USA in the Round of 16 and came up aces. Yet while the Americans would squander numerous chances to score against Ghana, Uruguay won’t be that forgiving. An injury to star striker Asamoah Gyan will not help their chances against the South Americans, either. Unfortunately for fans in Africa, it’s the end of the line in 2010.
8.) Paraguay
Paraguay may have slipped past Japan on penalties in the Round of 16, but anyone watching the game saw an energetic and skilled Samurai Blue create the better of the chances throughout the 120 minute affair. Plain and simple, Paraguay got lucky to advance, but now they’ll be cruelly exposed by a Spanish side chomping at the bit to turn on the style and round into form. At the end of the day, it’s been a successful World Cup for the Paraguayans, but there will be no more celebrating in Asuncion after Tuesday.