...aaaaand we have the first four R16 games cut out for us, and boy are they good. Here's some predictions and observations on each.
Uruguay-South Korea
Should be quite interesting. Uruguay has played some of the best football in the group stage. South Korea has also pleasantly surprised, despite an embarrassing and undeserved loss to Argentina. This one is interesting mostly because the two teams play surprisingly similar brands of football. Uruguay is one of the least technical South American teams, which isn't to say they're poorly skilled (quite the opposite) but that they also have a strong midfield and an expert defense. This is not surprising, given the well-known Italian roots of the Uruguayan people and traditions. South Korea also play a highly cautious game, but they're less technical and less physical. Their strength is in the amazing (and typically Asian) precision of teamwork, which, when joined with still-respectable skill, makes them one of the World Cup's strongest defensive teams when in possession. It should be a low-scoring, tactical game of chess--unless Uruguay gets an early lead thanks to a set piece, which if Cavani and Forlan both play could very well happen: then it will be an all-out war. Prediction: 2-0.
Argentina-Mexico
The one I look forward to the most, honestly. The Albiceleste has dominated its group and not one player has disappointed--not even Messi, who may not have scored but got assists right and left and gave horrible nightmares to those poor Greek, Nigerian, and South Korean defenders. So long as Veron plays, no problem at midfield (not even without Cambiasso... but Diego, what were you thinking?!), and unbeknown to most, Argentina has a very strong defense this year. They're going to need it, because Mexico's game has been sparkling and extremely physical since day one. Manchester United's newest star-boy Hernandez and old-glory Blanco have proven decisive in more than one occasion. On paper, this one is for Argentina, and if Diego's boys play like they can, Mexico stands no chance. But football is beautiful precisely because "on paper" doesn't mean crap! Prediction: 3-1.
Germany-England
This should have been the final. I hate this game and it will be painful to watch. As an AS Roma fan, I love Capello: we owe him the 2001 Serie A title and he's been a friend and teacher as well as a great coach. So rooting for England should be a no-brainer. I've always loved them anyway, and one of my all-time favorite players, Chelsea FC's Frankie Lampard, plays there. But this Germany has won me over, too. I started out hating their coach Loew (whose nose-picking, balls-scratching, armpit-sniffing habits in the 2006 World Cup had been the laughingstock of Italy) and ridiculing such a young and inexperienced team... but their great group and surprisingly skilled individuals can go very far. It's a well-balanced team that's fun to watch, with great fresh talents like Ozil and Khadira as well as the "old" guard of Klose, Lahm, and Podolski. Yes, the 4-0 over Australia doesn't say much, nor does the loss against Serbia--but Germany has played consistently well and I think they can come out on top. Prediction: 1-0.
Ghana-USA
These two had been in the same group in 2006, along with Italy and the Czech Republic. Ghana had won in a tough match then, but things are different now. The great new wonder of African football is not impressing anyone this time. Only two goals in the group stage, both penalties, and so many missed chances it's not even funny. They ditched their most repulsive habit from 2006, that of tackling so hard as to break legs, and that's good; but their football has also lost much of its spark. Au contraire, I've never seen the US play this well. They've been on a constant grow and have played well in all three games of the group stage, dodging some unfortunate ref calls and (most of all) their own lack of cynicism in the box. Unlike Ghana, they're a strong and well-organized team which lacks any seriously skilled individual (Dempsey and Donovan are merely okay: get over it)... but they have no major weak spots, either, and they are very well coached, and both can go a long way. Prediction: 0-1.
Looking forward to what R16 games Groups E through H will give us in the coming two days!
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