The Clash of Champions!
This World Cup, fortunately, has not seen many upsets, thus setting the up clashes of high intensity between a number of former champions in the quarterfinals. Of the teams remaining in the QFs, only Portugal and Ukraine have never won the World Cup. The other teams include former champions such as Argentina, Germany, France, England, Italy, and reigning champions
Brazil.
QF 1 - Argentina vs Germany
Germany has been playing awesome this World Cup, but only next to Argentina. The winner of this match will however be determined by how good the defence is. I feel Argentina has a much better team than Germany but then the host nation can spring a surprise if they take an early lead and pressurize their opponents by giving them much less time on the ball. Not many goals are expected but certainly will be the most exciting QF clash.
Prediction: Argentina 1 Germany 0
QF 2 - Italy vs Ukraine
Italy, many point out, are lucky to make it to the quarters...however, they do deserve their luck after so many injuries and the trouble back home due to the match-fixing scandal. Italy played well and attacked against Ghana but then had to resort to their mean defensive tactics after going a man down against USA and Australia. Ukraine have already achieved everything in their debut World Cup and anything more will be just an icing on the cake. More pressure on Italy, none whatsoever on Ukraine, but Italy should prevail.
Prediction: Italy 2 Ukraine 0
QF 3 - England vs Portugal
England as always, hyped up and flattering to deceive, have not played attractive football but then Sven has said he just wants his team to win, and they are doing that. But their toughest test yet will be against Big Phil's Portugal who will be without their most important player Deco who is suspended. Portugal players will be tired after their high-intensity clash with Holland and will try to keep their rough tackling to a minimum as most players are on a yellow card, which will work out in England's favor. A penalty shoot-out is quite a possibility.
Prediction: England 1 Portugal 0
QF 4 - Brazil vs France
France is yet another team peaking at the right time. A confidence-boosting victory over Spain will have rejuvenated their title hopes. Although Brazil still doesn't seem to play exhilarating football as expected, they have finished off opponents with ease. A France win is quite a possibility although Brazilian players seem fresher than their rivals.
Prediction: Brazil 2 France 1
posted by Lucas @ 8:55 AM
16 Comments:
Nice analysis...
I agree especially with the Portugal predictions. With Deco and Miguel both gone, they would be sorely missed, considering that they play an integral role in Portugal's defence and attack. England would probably seize this advantage.
Well...most of my predictions have ended up wrong although i did say eng-portugal might end up in a penalty shoot-out, and the Italians will emerge winners.
It's sad to see England going out in penalties yet again although they did deserve it for the way they have been playing.
France...peaking at the right time...the momentum from the spain game has carried them to the semis...france has a good chance of reaching the final, a nightmare that I wouldn't wanna happen.
Italy-Germany should be interesting...i have always been a supporter of Italy since 94 and Germany since 90...in fact, i supported Germany in the 2002 final against another fav of mine Brazil. But this time, I will be rooting for the Italians.
Can Totti emerge the hero after being the villain in 2 previous championships? I am hoping he does.
Henry has finally silenced his critics.And Ronaldo has lived up to is reputation of being a big CHEAT.Though Figo and Henry also play acted quite a bit.
is it due to Rooney's dismissal?? i still dont understand on wat basis u r calling him a cheat. pls explain.
yeah, henry has silenced his critics...but then he showed his acting skills too against spain.
@sriskandhs
and y have u just stopped short of calling henry too a cheat?
Yes it is.What basis?Were u not watching?Was there a need for him to interfere?He provoked the ref and winked at his team mates after the sending off.Pls tell me u had ur eyes open when it happened and that u being a Manu fan is not coming in way of seeing the obvious.
And i wont call Henry a cheat cos he aint one. It is a one off case and WONT HAPPEN AGAIN. If it does happen again then u can let me know and I will accept that he is like the others. Lets not compare Ronaldo with Henry. We all know what kind of a record Ronaldo brings with him. Anyone with an iota of knowledge abt the game will know that he is a master at play acting (like most of the Portugese and Spanish players).I want to leave it at that..
The ref himself has made clear that Rooney got the red card for his stamp on Carvalho's groin and not because of Ronaldo's involvement...anyway, ronaldo never asked the ref for a card...did u by any chance see him waving his hand and asking for a card to be shown?
I am a bigger fan of Rooney than am of Ronaldo...but I have to admit it was Rooney's mistake. the english press always identify a scapegoat and this time it is Ronaldo.
u speak of Ronaldo winking at his bench...how come they never showed it on TV? Is it just because the English press mention it?
Carvalho seemed fine within moments of that incident...that shd definitely qualify as play-acting but then the camera quite clearly showed Rooney's shoes stamping him. Although I am not saying Rooney did this deliberately.
Am sick and tireed of the antics of the English press...this time, they have taken it to ridiculous levels...to put it straight, England does not deserve to be in the semis.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,28749-2254786,00.html
I wonder how u missed Ronaldo winking towards the bench when the whole world saw it. Ask a couple of ur pals and they ll say the same. Whether u like it or not he did it. I hope u were watching the same coverage that i was..ESPN. And i never said that Ronaldo asked the ref to show Rooney a red.He knew that Rooney is short tempered and his involvement was sure to infuriate Rooney and ending in him doing something silly like he did.Also, do not confuse issues here.I am nt defending Rooney here. What he did was madness.I am merely questioning Ronaldo s involvement.What was the need for him to come and get involved?
It has been cleared that the red card was only due to Rooney's stamp on Carvalho and not his push on Ronaldo! The ref has come out and said he had made up his mind even before Ronaldo was involved.
Ok...so he winked! Ronaldo would be happy for his team to play against 10 men...it's no fault of his that Rooney got sent off! The ref has cleared that, if u still haven't read abt that.
Also, had Ronaldo not been a United player the media witch-hunt that is now taking place would probably have been focussed on Rooney instead...!
"Ok..so he winked!" Firstly congrats on getting the facts correct.
So u mean to say the media is after Manu players?Where did u get that load of crap? Dont overreact.
And the ref was from ARgentina and considering the chums that his countrymen are with the Brits I totally believe him.WEll done ref
I agree with you on everything except ronaldo's involvement, rooney deserved it make no mistake about that..
if you watch the replay again, if you arent blind you can clearly see the ref blow the whistle for a free kick for portugal(it should have been a england free kick in the first place, thats another matter), and then ronaldo did what he did and got rooney sent off.
What a prick he is, a disgrace to football, but you cant expect anything else from a portuguese footballer.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Everyone is entitled to his opinion...i rest my case.
I think the problem with those two is that they have not been acting their age in the World Cup - and remember, they're just passed the age of 20. Maybe Alex Ferguson could have a special programme up for them once both of them are back for pre-season training.
As for Henry, I do admit he's exaggerating at times, but frankly, he's acted quite sensibly for his age. And to prove a point to the watching world by scoring goals just top it all.
I feel so strongly abt Ronaldo bcos the guy s got all the talent in the world. He is potential future footballer of the year and then he does what he does..diving, playacting..the works.
Post a Comment
<< Home