FIFA World Cup 2010 – Round of 16: Matches to look out for
The World Cup’s second round, ‘The Round of 16’ starts today. A total of sixteen teams will participate in this round and will play a total number of eight games, which means each team will play one match against their opponent. The following are the most interesting of these matches.
Let’s start by having a look at U.S.A vs. Ghana. U.S.A qualified with a late goal by Landon Donovan against Algeria while Ghana is the only African team left in the tournament. While these teams are equally matched, both of them are better at attacking rather than defense, so we can expect a few goals in this encounter. U.S.A’s key player will be Landon Donovan who has been instrumental in their campaign so far, whereas Ghana will be looking to their midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng to put in a match winning performance. If Ghana makes it to the quarter finals, it will be their first appearance at that stage of the World Cup in their foot-balling history. If U.S.A progress, it will be their second appearance at the quarter final stage with the previous one coming in the 2002 FIFA World Cup held in Korea & Japan. The Prediction for this game is U.S.A 3-2 Ghana.
England vs. Germany is going to be another one of the exciting matches. The footballing rivalry between these two countries needs no introduction; it goes back to the last century. English defeated the Germans in World War II and the 1966 World Cup final, while Germans defeated the English in the 1974 World Cup quarter finals and in 1990 Semi finals as well. Ever since then, these two have been at odds with each other. One can expect this one to be a feisty match with a lot of tackles and maybe even a sending off considering England’s adventures with Rooney in 2006 and Beckham in 1998. One other minor fact to note is that England have never won a penalty shootout at the World Cup and Germany have never lost one. So the prediction for this game is that Germany wins on penalties.
If there was a war from the Middle Ages taking place in today’s day and age, it would be a clash between Spain and Portugal. It is a clash between two previous warring colonial powers who have competed for power and influence throughout their political existence. As far as football is concerned both have never managed to finish better than fourth place at a FIFA World Cup. Spain are the favorites in this tie but Portugal have yet to concede a goal in this tournament. Another variable in this tie is the former World Player of the Year Ronaldo, who has yet to hit his true form for Portugal. It will be the perfect occasion for Ronaldo to show his quality but the Spanish defense itself has the capacity to deal with the best of them. The Portuguese defense held the Brazilian attack but will they be able to stop La Furia Roja? The prediction for this clash is Spain 2-1 Portugal.
Paraguay vs. Japan is the last of the exciting games in the round of 16. The men from the Far East have been very impressive so far and have shown that they are not to be taken lightly whereas Paraguay are a force within their own right as well, after defeating the Italians in their group match. This might not be the most star studded of all the round of sixteen matches but it is the hardest one to call. Paraguay have shown that they are a solid unit with better attacking options than defensive ones. Their striker Roque Santa Cruz has yet to get off the mark at the World Cup. Japan will look to exploit Paraguay’s defensive weaknesses with their striker Honda, who is seems to be in impressive form after scoring against Denmark in their final group game. Both of these teams have never progressed beyond the round of 16 in FIFA World Cup tournaments, so it will be the first time either of them gets in the quarter finals. The prediction for this game is Paraguay to win 1-0.
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