Quarter Stage (Day Two)

ARGENTINA VS GERMANY

Again, another two gigantic teams are representing two big continents with huge soccer tradition each and styles in match day two. They don't always play entertaining business soccer as usual but also both have massive records to win the biggest event more than once. After sailed through each group with high skills, there'll probably be the biggest quarterfinal clash of 2010 edition. They have met each other 18 times previously with La Albiceleste winning eight, losing five and drawing five, with the last duel at the quarterfinal stage in Germany 2006 when the host won 4-2 in a penalty shootout.

Only in weeks ago some people seem to question Maradonna as a right coach, but he shows his passion for the game foremost his country and it spreads in team's progress. Theatrically he hugs all his players with his two huge diamond earrings in left ear, it takes part of big dramas while Argentinians enchanted throughout its group. Getting nine points then handled Mexico and earn 100% result with the most goals scored 10 including a hattrick from Higuain who has been one of top scorer so far. On the other hand, Germany has been up and down after incredible perform in beating Australia but suffered a hiccup after losing 0-1 to Serbia. Having said that Mannschaft is always good when none thinks they will well perform, so England must be fooled by that in play-off.

The Deutsch plays some fantastic football as solid team and haven't really depended on any particular player. With senior Klose also Podolski and Schweinsteiger, they leads the young panzer but inexperienced when compared to Argentina. On paper, the most favorites are Argentina gaining legions of their style of offensive football. But anything can happen on the field based on their previous dates as well. Germany came back from a goal down to clinch victory, so Maradona's men no need further motivation to make amends for 4 years ago. The first goal could be crucial then it looks La Albiceleste will grab more than two goals afterwards.

MY ORACLE :

This time for a replay of .. 1986 with adjustment 4 - 2.

PARAGUAY VS SPAIN

Finally the last of the quarter sees another South American nation try to take on reigning European champions 2008. Paraguay clearly underdogs who have reached this level for the very first time in team history but they will be under very little pressure. So La Albirroja can muster from this experience as a huge bonus while Spain is aiming to equal their best ever finish of fourth place at a World Cup at least. Both have met just three times before with the Spanish won once and the rest ended in ties. La Furia Roja always has main problem becoming a solid team and lack of consistency in the past, also has the habit of underachieving in the big events. So it wouldn't be a huge shock if they get knocked out from this World Cup, but The Red One gets much progress after winning recent Euro cup.

Spain started the tournament slowly but has looked better after been tested by losing 1-0 to Swiss and takes recovery in all latest matches. But to be honest, with the presence of so much talent in all departments, the Spanish played worse as the same squad in two years when compared to Argentina, Holland also Germany up to now. Then they looked impressive to beat Portugal in the way back to business to stay peak at the right time. With a side which boasts some of the best players in football including Barcelona and Real Madrid boys, now they are on track as one of the favorites in the big party and have not been disappointed so far.

As one of top scorer, David Villa is on fire from the moment with four goals in three successive matches, that's a good song for Spain while his partner Fernando Torres gets stone cold after long injuries. He will once again be the troubleshooter to handle Paraguay that will look for defend in numbers and wait for counter attacks. But the likes of Xavi and Iniesta will also have to perform much better and the defenses are solid with Puyol to Casillas who have been there when being called upon for the most part. They will not repeat the mistakes they made earlier and drive the rhythm as a master at ball possession as shown 61% to 39% against Christian Ronaldo's gangs. Paraguay just conceded one goal so far but only has scored three to get the quarters after a rather dull game with Japan. They need more to create passing and shooting ability in order to show "some respects" to football. If only laid back and pray for miracles instead of trying to win something, they can't wait all night to the end of the road.

MY ORACLE :

La Albirroja bulldozed with 0 - 4.

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South Africa 2010 – Group B:

The main fact.

A group with such diverse set of teams coming from 4 continental.

ARGENTINA

Coach : Diego Maradona

Appearances : 14

Best Result : 1978, 1986 Champions

FIFA Rank : 7th

Key : Mascherano, Kun Aguero, Messi.

No one can imagine a World Cup without the best player on planet, so welcome to Argentina that will kick the living daylights out of other contenders. They are so strong with lots of talent that hasn't seemed to live up to potential, including the phenomenal Messi being one of favorites for the Golden Boot. It would be quite a surprise if they don't make it through this group, so blame it to the antics of their coach. Undoubtedly Maradona was one of the greatest players in this business, but not so far as a coach. The Albicelestes struggled in qualification before finally finishing the fourth and final automatic qualification spot with 104 different players during that time. The team has individual talent to get out from all problems, but these matches may turn out to be more important on how to play as winning eleven for next level. Messi alone won't be enough, and we're not talking about Barcelona FC.

GREECE

Coach : Otto Rehhagel

Appearances : 1

Best Result : First Round, 1994

FIFA Rank : 13th

Key : Kyrgiakos, Georgios Karagounis, Theofanis Gekas.

The hymn about Greece is a solid side that shocked the world with their European Championship 2004 tittles. Now they are back again with that song that is based on solid defenses and the 2010 edition no-different look including Otto Rehhagel. Their hope with Liverpool's Kyrgiakos is to keep things tight and try to score on the break from a set play while striker Gekas who scored a lot of goals than anyone else in Europe during qualification. The best chance for Greece is the way the schedule is set up, probably better off playing Argentina last. Since Greece without opportunity to over Argentina, better to leave it as last game rather than the 1st because that lose could affect their mental for rest of the round. Of course they need to get full points before that.

NIGERIA

Coach : Lars Lagerback

Appearances : 3

Best Result : Round of 16, 1994, 1998

FIFA Rank : 21th

Key : Vincent Enyeama, Obafemi Martins, Aiyegbeni Yakubu.

They have so many young talents who have a lot of achievements to win the U-17 World Cup 3 times, plus they're playing in Africa for weather consideration. The Super Eagles is currently the second highest ranked African team and qualified for the World Cup without losing any game. They have a deep team with Enyeama in the net and improved defensively with lots of attacking talent who can compete with the big boys. Most of Nigeria's squad plays in Europe including Joseph Yobo, Kalu Uche, Yakubu, Obafemi Martins, and many more. But the Chelsea's curse has struck again with John Obi Mikel becoming the latest Blues player to be ruled out of the World Cup due to injury after Essien, Ballack, and Drogba. Pretty hard to predict how they will do it this time, if they can beat Greece in their second meeting again in the World Cup since USA 94, it would mean a lot.

SOUTH KOREA

Coach : Huh Jung-Moo

Appearances : 7

Best Result : 4th Place, 2002

FIFA Rank : 47th

Key : Park Ji Sung, Park Chu Young, Lee Chu Young.

South Korea sails through with high hopes and memories in 2002, but a coach Guus Hiddink played a major role in their success at that time. They struggled in qualification without defeat, but a return of just 12 goals in eight games seemed to find late goals in all their matches to assure victory. With a tight defense and speed offensive weapons, it will be at their best to have a chance of moving on. But only to score a goal or two in every games at international level, this will upset their squad to cope with the quality of other teams around them. Being top dogs in Asia is one thing, but competing against the likes of Messi or Yakubu will be too much for them. 

PREDICTION :

This group has an interesting mix of teams, it has plenty potential to upset the teams that they have everything to play for. But it is very hard to see The Tango failing to win this stage, as the rest of this group is interesting in that all three clubs could ever finish. Nigeria doesn't appear to be what they used to though, and then there are two "dark horse" performances in international tournaments in the past.

Greece has never scored in World Cup and seems they are having a condition doing so again. Their playing of defensive tactics will work for a while but each of these teams especially Argentina and Nigeria have the players to find the net. South Korea will struggle against Argentina and Nigeria if they get draw result in the opening match with Greece. It would be a bad start and they could find themselves on an early plane ride home then. In these senses, Nigeria deserves the following Argentina into the round of 16. With the incredible opening match of Nigeria-Argentina in terms of exciting football, both of them will enjoy how to play to make the warming up.

MY ORACLE :

Argentina (7), Nigeria (4), South Korea (3), Greece (3).

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