With eight teams left at South Africa 2010, I guess it’s fair to say that the men have been clearly separated from the boys. That countries like Ghana, Uruguay and Paraguay have come this far, while their more storied counterparts – France, England and Italy – are already on their summer holidays is proof positive that the beautiful game is no respecter of reputations. Needless to say, the big guns left in the running – Germany, Argentina, Spain, Holland and Brazil – will do well to heed that point when the quarter finals kick off today.
Holland and Brazil kick things off in Port Elizabeth and it will be a pity to see one of them depart at this stage. Both remain unbeaten after four matches and are both quite capable of playing patient, possession football. Brazil proved they could step it up a notch against Chile in the last round, scoring in typical fashion from a set-piece and two quick-fire counter-attacks, and the Dutch will have to watch out for Robinho, Kaka and Luis Fabiano – at least one of them has been involved in some way in 6 of the 8 goals Brazil have scored so far in South Africa. Holland will be able to call on the dangerous Arjen Robben once again, and the Dutch will make a game of it if Bert Van Marwijk dares to call on the impressive Eljero Elia. Defences could well make the difference in this tie, and despite the best efforts of Nigel de Jong and Mark van Bommel in front of Holland’s back four, it’s hard to bet against Lucio and co. I think Brazil will take a close game 2-0 or 2-1.
Two of the finals’ surprise performers clash in Friday’s other game in Johannesburg’s impressive Soccercity. Ghana v Uruguay on paper may not get the juices running but this could well be the most exciting of the last 8 ties, with the Black Stars trying to become the first African team to reach the last four, and Uruguay, winners in 1930 and 1950, looking to relive their illustrious past and reach the semis for the first time in 40 years.
History beckons, and two evenly matched sides could serve up a delight in the calabash. Uruguay have been one of the more positive sides at the finals, playing Diego Forlan behind Luis Suarez and Edison Cavani upfront, and they also have real steel down the spine of their side, with Diego Perez in midfield shielding a back four led by the hard-as-nails captain Diego Lugano. Ghana will again look to prove that a good team should surpass the sum of its individual parts, especially with the skilful Andre Ayew missing through suspension. The Ghanaians play a very organised formation that makes them tough to score against, and their neat passing game ensures they can keep possession for long periods and create openings at the other end. Their one failing has been an astonishing profligacy in front of goal – even if lone striker Asamoah Gyan has three goals (2 penalties) to his name. If they can remedy that, the Black Stars should be making African history come Friday night. I’ll stick my neck out there and pick Ghana to win 1-0.
Saturday’s first game, featuring Argentina and Germany in Cape Town, should be a delight to watch and will be much tougher to call. Both teams have been consistently impressive and have played arguably the best football seen at these finals so far. Germany’s young team are clearly primed to attack, with Bastien Schweinsteiger impressively dictating the pace and the young Mesut Ozil building a reputation as one of the best creative midfielders in the game. Argentina, of course, already boast the cream of the crop in Leo Messi, Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain and have plenty in reserve to trouble a young German backline. Not many would be betting against an Argentina win in this game, yet I think it would be a real close affair and I have my concerns about the Argentine defence and their ability to cope with the pacy young Germans. Four years ago, this tie went to a penalty shoot out won by the Germans. We may well need that again this time, and this is one of those games that could truly go either way. But if I have to pick a winner, I’ll be backing the Germans to shade this one again.
Spain will definitely be expected to take their place in the last four after their clash with Paraguay at Ellis Park on Saturday evening. I have long admired their excellent ball passing and teamwork and after watching them dismantle a decent Portugal side on Tuesday it’s no surprise I am backing them to win this one. If Xavi and Iniesta play as they can, and David Villa remains as clinical as ever – or if Torres finally recovers some sharpness – Paraguay will have little chance of upsetting the European champions. Then again, this is football and the Swiss did beat Spain in the first round just 3 weeks ago. Besides, Paraguay boast some exciting attacking talent too, in Nelson Valdez, Roque Santa Cruz, Lucas Barrios and Oscar Cardozo. If one of those can grab a goal – or if they can nick one from a set piece – they’ll be counting on ‘keeper Justo Villar to keep La Roja out. I don’t think so though. I’m going for a 2-0 Spain win.
If I’m right, it’ll be Brazil v Ghana and Spain v Germany in the semis. And if I’m wrong….well, then I’m wrong. It’s football.
Enjoy.
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