Quarter Stage (Day One)

After nearly three weeks of constant soccer, now it's down to the last 8 teams to the quarter this weekend. In these two days off, let's take a look at the predictions and try to figure out which team deserves thumbs up from Liga Fantasi.

HOLLAND VS BRAZIL

These two gigantic teams always present entertaining soccer games and both have sailed through each group with high skills. So it’s a bit of shame that they have to face each others, that two cagey accomplished world sides meet in what could easily be called an early-final. Whatever happens, hope that result-oriented football will become a classic. They have met nine times with Brazil winning three, losing two and drawing four. The Selecao may have slight advantage on paper, but The Flying Dutchmen is still sharp to be aside fully at this stage.

What this one needs is a goal in the first 15 minutes to open things up. Holland holds a different prospect with Robben back in the side and they have been solid without being too amazing. The Orange defenses could be struggled by the likes of Robinho and Kaka, while the Brazilian defenders stay back themselves to hold off the threat of Robin van Persie and Kuyt. It won't be easy so I reckon the atmosphere at this game will be tight and hard. The duel of Kaka against Van Bommel, also Sneijder versus Lucio would be the key to flow the inspiration. With both teams boasting stars with such attacking prowess on show, this could be fun before the red card probably showed off to ruin the party. This Brazil squad has won both the Copa America 2007 and Confederations Cup 2009 under Dunga as a massive experience of winning big international matches. So the Dutch needs more challenge to prove the power of total football still relevant for big soccer events. Expect on Fabiano or Sneijder to continue their fantastic form, we like to see plenty of goals as both teams aim for the semis. Five times winner against a king without a crown, would it be a good time for Orange?

MY ORACLE :

Clockwork Orange to dance over the Samba : 2 – 1

URUGUAY VS GHANA

The last African will face the crushers from South America with these two relatively underdogs arrived bursting with energy to keep standing around. Only few have put these two sides in the next level but both overturned with some wonderful finishing they are here on the knock out stage. Although not being the most glamorous quarter-final but Ghana certainly will have a lot of African interest as the only hope from the hosting continent to made history by reaching the semis. Also interesting to see how Uruguay handles pure physical strength of the Africans and claims back the spirit as the former of two-time world champions.

Uruguay features the tournament with impressive unit and best strike pairing Forland and Suarez, while Ghana has been the fairytale of this competition to count on an all-action midfield to control the attack. The Black Stars have not been the most exciting but they have physical win to fight, by looking out to awesome Prince Boateng and Gyan who scored cracking-goals to break American hearts. To play with heart would love to see Ghana go marching on the Vuvuzelas, however defender Mensah and midfielder Andre Ayew will miss the game due to suspensions, so their chances will be badly reduced. The Uruguayans have arguably been the best striking tandem in the tournament so far with five goals between them. If these two strikers can keep hitting the net and goalkeeper Muslera continues his fine, La Celeste will be hard to beat as they've only let in one goal in four games. Both teams have never met before, and Ghana's dramatic victory over the USA looks too tempting. But some fireworks will be ready to burst Uruguay's sky to celebrate the final result with the odds.

MY ORACLE :

Uruguay advances on penalties after an absorbing 2 - 2 tie.

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South Africa 2010 – Group G:

The main fact:

A group with superstars and an unknown "Kim Il-Sung".

BRAZIL

Coach : Dunga

Appearances : 19

Best Result : Champions 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002

FIFA Rank : 1st

Key : Kaka, Robinho, Luis Fabiano.

The Samba King is the only nation that have qualified in 19 consecutive World Cups ever, or the only nation to play in every single final's tournament. They have gained the most tournament titles with five in three different continents, the only country to ever win tournament outside their own continent. They are also being the first FIFA rank and one of the top giant favorites. Now they are heading to South Africa, again after experiencing success on the same land last summer by winning the Confederations Cup 2009. With tons of extraordinary talents, Brazil can be a shadow squad under similar level lead by superstars such as Ronaldinho, Pato, even Marcelo and Heurelho Gomes. They live by the following philosophy, *big names might win matches, but a group win titles*. So far it has worked well. Led by coach Dunga, the former player, captain, and world cup winner for Brazil at USA '94, it seems all element of Brazilians are focused to return to the podium for the sixth time record. But still they have to start carefully concerning one of the toughest World Cup Groups assembled. One small slip-up could mean an early final with Spain in Round 16.

IVORY COAST

Coach : Sven-Goran Eriksson

Appearances : 1

Best Result : First Round 2006

FIFA Rank : 27th

Key : The Toure Bros, Salomon Kalou, Didier Drogba.

The Ivory Coast has a team full of players who have made big impacts in European club soccer, it has been touted by many to be the African nation with the best chance to win the world cup. But wait, what did they do to get two terrible World Cup draws in a row? In 2006 they got Argentina, Netherlands, Serbia & Montenegro, and now get along with #1 ranked team Brazil, Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal and the mysterious North Korea? Football is football, they really need more than hard play and .. hard to say it, "pray hard". Their opening match against Portugal may be the most important step to advance, seems they will make it with 100% of Didier Drogba. With other European stars include Emmanuel Eboue, the Toure brothers, Sevilla's Didier Zokora also Salomon Kalou, they should be able to make up their missing mate. The Elephants have a shot to proof they still can win the highest level of football.

NORTH KOREA

Coach : Kim Jong Hun

Appearances : 1

Best Result : Quarterfinals 1966

FIFA Rank : 105th

Key : Myong-Guk, Jong Tae-Se.

North Korea is the lowest ranked team in this world cup, this is their first comeback after their last round in 1966. The Choilima back to business is by qualifying second behind South Korea and scored only 7 goals in 8 games although they have better goal differential over Saudi Arabia. After spending over 40 years off the world stage, they should prepare to get disappointed to unfavorable draw result into unfriendly group. Otherwise, as a team which is very much unknown, they do have all the experiences to cause problems with an unfamiliar style of play to others. The team leader will likely be Myong-Guk who is recorded ten shutouts in qualifying, or Jong Tae-Se who have alias "Wayne Rooney from North Korea". They will concede possession and play counter attack, because their reputation on strong defense will be messed apart this time to keep them out from predators likes of Robinho, Ronaldo, also Drogba.

PORTUGAL

Coach : Carlos Quieroz

Appearances : 4

Best Result : Third Place 1966

FIFA Rank : 3th

Key : Paulo Ferreira, Deco, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Portugal has qualified for its fifth World Cup appearances after reaching semifinals against France in Germany 2006. As the third ranked in the world now, they do not seem to be as good as the 2006 team and being qualified second in the group behind Denmark. Selecao needed an aggregate playoff win to advance, and they weren't that impressive. Based on offensive minded, Portugal remains to do so. With the highly marketable Ronaldo, for his talent I mean, he needs more effort to make dramatic impression and to score as well on the national stage like the club level. One thing to worry about is their defense and midfield since Bosingwa, Pepe and Nani weren't lucky enough to comprise primarily of the injured. But some golden generation talent can fill in with Ferreira, Bruno Alves and Miguel Veloso will be expected to step up. In overcoming the Elephants, the Navigators have good memory to beat the coach Sven-Goran Eriksson once again this time after Euro 2004 and World Cup 2006.

PREDICTION :

As the first game always gives an impact, Portugal to meet the Ivory Coast is obviously one of the big match and the winner will take it all. Otherwise to think that Navigators vs the Elephants should end in a draw which means that is going into the last day with Brazil that may be already leading by 6 points in determining opportunities against Portugal at last. The current Brazil side is different to previous incarnations that has graced the world stage. They look defensively solid with one of the best goalkeepers ever had in Julio Caesar and the quartet (Maicon, Lucio, Juan/Alex, Dani Alves).

With Portugal's schedule looks a bit shaky, the Ivory Coast is definitely still has a chance of reaching the knockout stage. This could be a massive blow to Ivory Coast even by Portugal struggling. Finally their advantages in last matches could bring them to the next level, and the only thing North Koreans can hope for is doing better than an unknown quantity in world football. They're not so bad, it's only a matter that they sink in a wrong race to against improper match.

MY ORACLE :

Brazil (7), Ivory Coast (5), Portugal (4), North Korea (0).

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