Let’s be honest, the World Cup isn’t really particularly serious whilst England are still in it. Once England have been knocked out, you know the wheat has been separated from the chaff. I was, I have to say, quite please to see England get stuffed, since I’d packed my World Cup Fantasy Football team with, err, German strikers. Mueller and Podolski did me proud, and I finished comfortably top of my league for the round. Nice one. I should also point out, I scored 5/8 on my Round of 16 predictions. Not bad, I’d say. The three I got wrong were the USA, who I had down to beat Ghana, Spain, who I picked to lost against Portugal, and Japan, who I had to win against Paraguay. However, in fairness, I did pick that game as a dull 0-0 that Japan would go to penalties, which I got spot on – just not the winners of the shootout. C’est la vie.
So anyway, on to the quarter final matches…
Netherlands vs. Brazil -First off, let’s get one thing straight. It’s not Holland, it’s the Netherlands. Holland is not a country. It is a region in the Netherlands. Got that? Good. All you people who live in Britain and get really annoyed by Americans who can’t get their heads around the fact that England and Britain are not the same, have a little sympathy for the Dutch. But anyway, on to the football…it’s actually an intriguing contest. It could go either way. You’d have to fancy Brazil, who have been fantastic, and look like they still have more to give. On the other hand, the Netherlands haven’t looked too troubled, haven’t really shown their hand and have just got the job done. They are a fantastic side, no doubt about it, and they should push Brazil very hard, but Robin Van Persie really needs to be raise his game if the Dutch are going to win. My pick: 2-1 Brazil.
Uruguay vs. Ghana – Ghana won’t win. Uruguay should be far too strong. Expect another Forland and Suarez to grab another three between them. Perhaps it is wishful thinking, but I’m putting my money where my mouth is – I have five Uruguayan players in my first eleven for the quarter finals. My pick: 3-0 Uruguay.
Argentina vs. Germany – This is a carbon copy of the 2006 quarter final in Berlin, although there a few players who have survived from that match. It was a particularly bad tempered affair, finishing 1-1, with Germany winning on penalties. It should be another close match. Argentina should start as favourites, but Germany are well capable of punishing teams on the break. The South Americans will need to be clinical in front of goal as the Germans don’t give up too many chances and may be happy to sit back and hit on the counter. My pick: Too close to call. I’ll go with Argentina to win 3-2 after extra time, but honestly, anything could happen. I have very little confidence in this one!
Paraguay vs. Spain – Paraguay. No question. They’ll sit back, soak up all the pressure, Villa will miss time and time again, and then Alacarez will go on a run past the Spanish defence in the 87th minute, perform a dazzling turn and smack the ball straight at Casillas in the Spanish goal. He will fumble the ball into his own net and Cesc Fabregas will, as he walks off the pitch in disgust at a shock loss, announce he’s actually signed a contract with Athletico Bilbao. Lol, joke, 4-0 Spain, simples.
Tags: World Cup