To the delight of billions (literally!), South Africa’s World Cup continues to produce entertaining matches and dressing-room drama. After 19 days, the original 32 team field has been whittled down to just 8. The quarter-finals begin tomorrow with Uruguay taking on Ghana and Brazil facing the Netherlands. On Saturday, Paraguay will play Spain and Argentina line up against Germany.
Joy for these lucky 8, heart-break and despair for the homeward-bound 24. It is a testament to how seriously these nations take their soccer that France’s coach, Raymond Domenech, has already appeared before an angry Parliament to explain why his team revolted against his authority and refused to train after star striker Nicolas Anelka was sent home for insubordination. Perhaps Anelka, a player whose prima donna reputation is aptly captured by the nick-name “Le Sulk,” deserved to go but surely not before his hapless boss, who has not seemed in control of his team of super-stars since their humiliating first-round exit from the 2008 European Championships.
Meanwhile, Italy, who beat France in the 2006 final, also bowed out early after a dramatic 3-2 loss to plucky Slovakia. They reportedly were greeted at the airport by angry fans with a hail of curses and rotten tomatoes. In the strangest incident of all, Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has suspended his nation’s team from all international competition for TWO YEARS following their less-than-satisfactory performances in Group A. Nigeria’s midfielder, Sani Keita, who was sent off during the 2-1 loss to Greece, is said to be in hiding after a series of death threats. Shades of Colombia’s unfortunate Escobar, who was assassinated after scoring the tragic own goal that ended his country’s chances at the 1994 tournament.
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On the other hand, neither bullets nor spoiled fruit seem likely for Uruguay or Ghana when they return home. Both teams have greatly exceeded expectations and will be delighted at playing for a chance to reach the semi-final. Ghana, who carry the weight of an entire continent on their shoulders as the only remaining African team, have looked composed and resilient and boast the dangerous striker Asamoah Gyan, who has scored three goals so far at this tournament (including the sweetly-struck shot that eliminated the United States in extra-time). Uruguay, however, are an experienced side and have proven extremely compact at the back while their forward duo of Forlan and Suarez are good enough to threaten any team left in the tournament. Uruguay to progress in a close game though I would not be surprised to see extra-time or even penalties.
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Friday’s other game pits perennial contenders Brazil against the Netherlands, a team with a proud footballing history who are yet to lift the game’s ultimate trophy. Holland boast a competent team enlivened by the presence of the brilliant but fragile Arjen Robben (because of injuries his first start in this tournament came in the second-round game against Slovakia), his midfield partner-in-crime Wesley Sneijder and Arsenal’s lively Robin Van Persie up front. But despite their contributions Bert van Marwijk’s side lack the style of their Cruyff and Neeskens-inspired predecessors, who finished runners-up in ’74 and again in ‘78. This Oranje have looked pedestrian at times and proper marking of their danger-men should spell a quarter-final exit for the Dutch. Brazil, too, are a shadow of the teams that boasted Pele, Garrincha and Socrates, having sacrificed skill for steel at the behest of hard-nosed coach Dunga, captain of the trophy-lifting side from ‘94, but they look to have just enough of both to progress. Robinho, Luis Fabiano, and Kaka are beginning to settle in up front while the sturdy presence of Julio Cesar, Lucio and Maicon provides security at the back. Brazil to the semis.
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Like Uruguay and Ghana, Paraguay will have no complaints if they exit at this stage. Having sneaked through a tight second-round match against Japan on penalties, they seem the weakest team to have advanced this far though talented strikers Cardozo, Santa Cruz and Valdez will do their best to prove me wrong. Spain, the pre-tournament favorites, are only now hitting their stride after a slow start and a surprising 1-0 loss to Switzerland. Fernando Torres, the sublimely-skilled star striker, has clearly been a step-off-the-pace and taken a touch-too-many after an injury-ravaged season at Liverpool. Luckily, his strike-partner David Villa has been superb. Check out his fantastic goal against Chile (sorry for the poor quality): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i779uHuEajQ . Worries linger over the fitness of super-sub Fabregas and the consistency of normally reliable ‘keeper Casillas, who has looked shaky and confused by the flight of the much-criticized Jabulani ball.
Even so, Spain to progress by a couple of goals assisted, as always, by the incomparable duo of Xavi and Iniesta.
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The most intriguing match of the round pits a young German team against an Argentine squad loaded with attacking talent. Germany will be on a high after a 4-1 thrashing of England while Argentina remain the in-form team after collecting nine points from their group and a comfortable if controversial 3-1 victory over Mexico. Nonetheless, question marks hover over both sides. Will Germany’s young stars be able to handle the pressure of a single-elimination game against the game’s most fearsome attackers? Central defenders Friedrich and Mertesacker seem too static and slow-moving to handle the likes of Tevez and Messi while left-back Boateng is untested at this level, despite his recent high-profile move to Manchester City. Meanwhile, ‘keeper Neuer seems an excellent shot-stopper but a tendency to come off his line could prove costly. Oezil, Klose and Podolski will need to score a couple if they hope to progress.
Argentina, meanwhile, will be relishing their first match in this World Cup against one of Europe’s elite teams, having beaten the Germans in March on Higuain’s goal from 35 yards. Like Germany, Argentina will be confident in their world-class attack but nervous about an untested defense that, apart from the sturdy Walter Samuel, looks far from impenetrable and a ‘keeper, Sergio Romero, who does not inspire confidence. This is a very difficult game to call but I will go out on a limb and pick Argentina to avenge their elimination from the last tournament at German hands. South American teams always do well at World Cups held on non-European soil.