World Cup Quarter Finals – Preview

After the engrossing 2^nd round now the football WC moves to the Quarter Finals with me still to get heartbreak (Argentina is still there… Hoping they will be champions). I have watched few matches missed few and on my observation here is a preview for the QF’s which going to be played from today.

Holland Vs Brazil:

One of the most expected clash with both teams known for their flair for the past few decades. But what differentiates them from their past team is their defence which just gives no opposition strikers a chance to sniff at their goal.

Brazilians under Dunga has become efficient footballers with attacking when its necessary that too with precision. In the game against Chile even though they didn’t controlled the possession much they scored when needed and each one is a deadly strike. In Fabiano they have one of the great strikers in the world right now with Robinho and Kaka providing inch perfect passes for him. Their Midfield has Daniel Alves, Gilberto Silva and Felipe Melo which is solid while defending and when they come up in flank gives a scare. Elano is out of tournament now and that may cause few problems in their line-up. Lucio, Juan, Bastos and Maicon provides a perfect defence with Maicon raiding up from right back to provide those through balls to his strikers. Surely Brazil is a team to beat now.

Holland matches Brazil man to man in forward with Van Persie as lone striker, Robben and Van-der Waart as wingers and Wesley Snejider as Playmaker. Surely an attack which can penetrate through any defence. The return of Robben adds a lot to the Holland attack. But they haven’t played a top team like Brazil and their Midfield and defense will be tested by the attacking trio of Fabiano, Kaka and Robinho.

My prediction: Brazil winning the match convincingly. But if Holland’s defence stands up then it’s a contest which may swing to anybody’s favour. Hope the Holland’s defense picks itself up.

Uruguay Vs Ghana:

Didn’t watched the both teams playing much. But from what I have read about them Uruguay is the favorite to win this match but with the whole continent’s support Ghana may rewrite the script by becoming the first African nation to reach the Semi Finals.

Argentina Vs Germany:

A match I am eagerly waiting for but also being aware that there is only one outcome from this match will make me happy. Germany demonstrated that how deadly they can be if the defense is sloppy. And Argentina presents the perfect situation for them to exploit. They don’t have great pacy defenders a curse which caused for the reason for the downfall of England. But on the flip side Germany too have to face the likes of Messi, Tevez and Higuain an attack which will send the shiver down to the spine of any defence.

Germany with Oezil in the playmaker role flourished till now. But if Argentina captain Javier Mascherao, Argentina’s only holding midfielder negates him then Germany find the going tough. For Argentina Messi was the playmaker but none of the Germany midfielders have much of a defensive capability and all the three midfielders Mueller, Scheweinstiger and Keidra love to play upfront which will leave their 4 defenders tackling all the 3 Argentine forwards a weakness Argentine team will try to expose. So with both the defense haven’t tested much makes up for an exciting contest and goalfest.

My Prediction: Germany wins the match narrowly. Even though I want it to be otherwise, from what I have seen Germany is slightly better. (Last time when they both played against each other in 2006 WC, I thought Argentina was better and I was proved wrong. Wishing I will be proved wrong again).

Spain Vs Paraguay:

It can’t get easier for Spain who are willing to break the shackles and to win their first world cup. Even though Paraguay has put up a solid performance till now, they won’t be much of a match to the Spain’s midfield which will suck the life out of any attack in the world. In Villa Spain have a great finisher inside penalty area.

My prediction: Spain wins the match comfortably.

PS: Sorry for the delay in commenting and reply to the comments. I am totally into this world cup which makes me not to miss even an article. I will surely read the missed posts by weekend and comment on them 🙂 🙂

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