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 E:

The main fact:

A group with all teams and rich history in International football despite of world champion.

CAMEROON

Coach : Paul Le Guen

Appearances : 5

Best Result : Quarterfinals, 1990

FIFA Rank : 19th

Key : Assou Ekotto, Alexandre Song, Eto'o.

Cameroon is the most decorated African nation with good mix of experience and youth. As it has a goalkeeper such as Kameni, then defender's Ekotto, Makoun, to midfielder Song, Webo, as well as a predator Samuel Eto'o, it's a really bit unfair to label Cameroon as one man team. They got quality, as we know Eto'o is probably their best ever player, and the Arsenal's midfielder Song who needs to maintain his discipline a bit to overcome all opponents. They won their group relatively easy, clearly it's time for Cameroon to provide more joyous moments to recall the pressure and live up to expectations. After being the first African team when the leader Roger Milla captured the quarter finals in World Cup '90, the Indomitable Lions has always had a lot of pressure. A big opportunity will come at their first match to over Japan, or they have to home soon after suffering in last match against Netherlands. Also it's important to believe in themselves given that they are an African side and would be buoyed by a "home" support.

DENMARK

Coach : Morten Olsen

Appearances ; 3

Best Result : Quarterfinals 1998

FIFA Rank : 36th

Key : Simon Kjaer, Cristian Poulsen, Niklas Bendtner.

As one of the most veteran team in the tournament, the Danes plays a tough-physical style led by experienced players such as Dennis Rommedahl, Soren Larsen, Poulsen and Tomasson. They can depend on the strong defense of Stoke's goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, then ability to counterattack quickly from midfield with some younger talent Simon Kjaer to Arsenal's striker Nicklas Bendtner to keep its track. They are rewarded by an incredible World Cup qualification success, wins away against Portugal and slams old enemy Sweden. Denmark comes in as a strong European team that can definitely play, may be better than their Euro'92. While they are certainly be difficult to beat, the presence of Daniel Agger and Soren Larsen as top scorer of five qualifier goals will give them a stronger cutting edge than in the recent years. If Denmark ties Netherlands in opening match just like last year, they are a team that so ready to make the next round.

NETHERLANDS

Coach : Bert van Marwijk

Appearances : 8

Best Result : Runner-up 1974 and 1978

FIFA Rank : 4th

Key : Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Robin Van Persie.

They blend a combination of skill and discipline that take them far into the rounds of any tournaments. They are so strong upfront and in the midfield, tight on defense, they are always boast a great team with great-skillful players. They invented "Total Football" and wearing the most recognized kit in this business, possibly the best country in the sport but has never won the cup. This time the Orange had a good start by achieving the top of qualifying group with 100% won record scoring 17 and only conceding two .. showing how ruthlessly they have dealt with it. Led by star players all over the field who are having very good seasons for their clubs like Sneijder, Van der Vaart and Van Bommel in midfield and Robben, Eljero Elia, Dirk Kuyt, and Van Persie, have put them up top. This team consists of deep and talented players, they can compete against anyone in the world as they've been rewarded with a World Cup Group they expect to win. How far they can live up to expectations then?

JAPAN

Coach : Takeshi Okada

Appearances : 3

Best Result : Round of 16, 2002

FIFA Rank : 45th

Key : Shunsuke Nakamura, Yasuhito Endo, Keisuke Honda.

Japan has a great scoring team, just look back at the recent England friendly match. They scored three goals and England scored none. So when Japan can score on the opponent's goal instead of their own, they might have something. But clearly, Japanese loves their football. The fans have plenty of time to watch their team this year, and they've played 10 friendliest matches since January. They have really mixed results, and don't seem to take pressure that good. Well, Japan has never won a match anywhere other than Asia, but this team has ambitions on getting far into the tournament. They have qualified the last 4 world cups and become a dominant power in Asia. However, Japan has never made it out of the first round except their second round run in 2002 (as the host). The Samurai will likely fought Cameroon and the greater power of Denmark for the second spot in the group, not a promising prospect against the superior technique of Holland. They are technically sound as a team that can give anyone trouble, but also a team has trouble finding the opponent's net.

PREDICTION :

This is really good group but Dutch is undoubtedly the best team in this group. Everyone knows how good and consistent this team has been, a king without crown. They have great individual players who also play beautifully together, so they should get over all their rivals without many problems.

The rest are the three heavy weights from its continent and probably can be the favored teams as well. However, Denmark and Cameroon come in with a lot of support and a strong physical team but Japan has not done well in the warm-up. So the hardest thing to say about this group is who will prevail between Denmark and Cameroon? With Cameroon versus Holland in the last game has meant that the group could already be decided by this point. It will advance on goal difference at least, Japan would take one point from Denmark or Cameroon so they can leave the party with something. But I'm not very confident about this, I'm not a betting man.

MY ORACLE :

Netherlands (7), Cameroon (4), Denmark (4), Japan (1).

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