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 F:

The main fact:

A group was labeled the easiest of all 8?

ITALY

Coach : Marcello Lippi

Appearances : 16

Best Result : Champions 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006

FIFA Rank : 5th

Key : Buffon, Pirlo, Daniele DeRossi.

Here is a great team, 4 times winner and secondly to Brazil in total World Cup's won. The Azzurri deserves truly respect as a defending 2006 champions, 1974 was the last time they failed to make progress from their World Cup's Group. Since then they have advanced 8 times in a row, I believe Italy has never had a Group with such weak opposition on paper. Now the Italians are relying on mostly the same squad that took the championship in 2006, with all experience and unity but also 4 years older especially on defense. As they did in both 1982 & 2006, their squad of heroes passed and went into the tournament with questions, but ended up winning it all. Italy qualified top of the group without losing with more 10 goals differential, thanks to the traditional efficiency and pragmatism. Not to mention coach Lippi as one of football's finest with 31 consecutive international matches without any single defeat, Italy will sail through to 16 round. It will change everyone's opinion on aging football stars, but how far they would go this time? Looks so frail to popes, in this case, "experienced" might be an euphemism.

NEW ZEALAND
Coach : Rikki Herbert
Appearances : 1
Best Result : First Round 1982
FIFA Rank : 78th
Key : Chris Killen, Shane Smeltz, Ryan Nelsen.

This is the second World Cup appearance for the Kiwis, a physical team with a stingy defense. But they failed to score a goal in the Confederations Cup, and likely it will repeat here. The Oceania qualifier is obviously one of the weaker and New Zealand will face the teams with more intimidate classed players. It will be a massive job for Blackburn's Ryan Nelsen as the Kiwis captain, who needs more offensive strength to help his side avoid being spanked. They did very well to edge past Bahrain in the play off, but the three sides they face in this group will proof far too strong. All they have to do is face the World Champions, to give them hope that there might be something to build on in the future.

PARAGUAY
Coach : Gerardo Martino
Appearances : 7
Best Result : Second Round 1986, 1998, 2002
FIFA Rank : 31th
Key : Justo Villar, Salvador Cabanas, Santa Cruz.

La Albirroja are making their eighth World Cup finals appearance and fourth in a row after brilliant qualifying campaign by winning 10 matches. They became the second CONMEBOL team to make the tournament by defeated Brazil in the process, and ahead of Argentina in South American Group. Paraguay would like to establish their position since opening match against Italy, then will be another favorite to make it out of the group stage. Led by Nelson Valdez and leading scorer as a duo Cabanas and Santa Cruz, it will expect them to play lots of pressure and trying to build up possession to produce entertaining games. More steel may see them through this time, before to face reality to meet "Men in Orange" then.

SLOVAKIA
Coach : Vladimir Weiss
Appearances : none
Best Result : none
FIFA Rank : 34th
Key : Martin Skrtel, Marek Hamsik, Stanislav Sestak.

As the former Czechoslovakia, a nation who participated in 8 finals overall, and now look to climb to the top of World Stage once again as Slovakia for their first time ever. They have a similarity, based on youngster with discipline that doesn't rely on star players. Yes, they have Liverpool's Skrtel and Napoli's Marek Hamsik, but who cares Stanislav Sestak as their leading scorer in qualification? With positive attitude, they surprise to over the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovenia. The Neopolitans must recognize that a strong performance at the World Cup could see him snaffled by one of Europe's big guns, then should push Paraguay all the way and may sneak a surprise. It's time to sleepers to shock some people.

PREDICTION :

This may be was labeled the easiest of all groups, looks easy it may prove to be for Italy, but it is still quite tricky to predict. Even with the problems Italy currently squad, no way they fail to do so. Forget all the myths about slow starters, possibly jinx to the Azzurri with the winning teams but 4 years older. So the only mystery in this group is who will claim the second spot, Paraguay may advance if they get a good result against Italy. Otherwise, if Slovakia may do so, then match between those two will be the most important on the group. 

Paraguay looks to be stronger team but stack up front with Cabanas and Santa Cruz. And the more to learn about Slovakia as a solid team, then more we'll like them. In Vladimir Weiss, Miroslav Stoch also Hamsik, they have a very dribble midfielder as a trio set the tournament alight in this group. The interesting is, when Paraguay and Slovakia will all be fighting for a place to next round with the same point, suddenly Italy should be on 3, so any team could move forward. It could be just happened this way, and .. hey, where's the Kiwis? Flying somewhere?

MY ORACLE :
Italy (7), Slovakia (6), Paraguay (4), New Zealand (0).

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