The Pre Quarters Line-up: Uruguay v S Korea, USA v Ghana, Germany v England, Argentina v Mexico
The last sixteen stage of the World Cup is set to kick-start in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, and so far half of the teams have been decided. There have been some surprising misses like France and Italy, but the remaining teams are now ready to put their best foot forward (literally) as they all are vying for the ultimate prize in football. The first match of the knockout phase will be played between Uruguay and South Korea at Port Elizabeth on Saturday, June the 26th.
Sat 26th June, 15:00 Port Elizabeth
Uruguay vs South Korea
Blood, guts and some sublime skill saw the South Koreans and the South Americans battle through their groups to set up a date at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, and come 26th June, there will be tensions flying high in Port Elizabeth, as the South Koreans will be looking to match their exploits at the Japorea ’02 where they progressed to the semi finals of the World Cup. However, this time standing in their way is a team that has not conceded a single goal in the World Cup so far and who find themselves in an extremely winnable tie against the Asians. But South Korea haven’t fluked their way up till here, although they were hanging for grim life against Nigeria, and emerged from the tie bloodied but triumphant.
Sat 26th June, 19:30 Rustenburg
USA vs Ghana
The second of the 8 matches will be contested between the hope of the African continent, Ghana, and the gutsy United States on 26th June at the Royal Bafokeng Palace in Rustenburg. United States will be seeking a sweet revenge to their defeat at the hands of the Black Stars in the 2006 World Cup, where Ghana beat them by 2 goals to 1 to secure their place in the next round and send the Yanks packing home. This time around, the United States are a different outfit altogether, and after a last gasp winner against Algeria in their last game, and a remarkable comeback against Slovenia a few days earlier, the mood in the camp is upbeat and they will fear nothing going into the match. In Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore, they have three players who can turn any game on its head and win it with just their own individual skill and panache. Ghana, on the other hand, in the absence of their midfield anchor man Michael Essien, don’t look the same side but are still capable of pulling off a performance of equal pedigree.
Sun 27th June, 15:00 Bloemfontein
Germany vs England
In perhaps the most intriguing match of this round, England will take on Germany at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. It’s time to reignite old rivalries, as two old foes reunite for the world audiences in a clash of two titans. Both were pre tournament favourites to win the World Cup, but find themselves pitted against each other in a match that neither side will be too happy with.
Sun 27th June 19:30 Johannesburg
Argentina vs Mexico
Argentina are the side in complete form in this tournament, and the only side in this edition so far to have qualified winning all three matches. The match against Mexico should be a winnable one for the South American favourites, but given their patchy form in the qualifiers, Mexico will be hoping that Diego Maradona’s side has a bad day at work. However, with the embarrassment of attacking riches at their disposal, one just doesn’t see it happening. The match will be hosted at the venue where the final is to be played on July the 11th, but for Mexico the match is nothing less than an early final for them, as it can prove to be their last outing at this World Cup.
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