The World Cup in knockout mode

Yippee!! The football World Cup has reached the knockout stages, and are we in for a treat. The group stage has already seen quite a few upsets along with some brilliant attacking football. Ghana proved to be the surprise package of Group E, qualifying ahead of big teams like the Czech Republic and the USA.

The 2nd round promises some good games (although half of the games are over as I write this). Germany won comfortably over Sweden, who could have been tricky. Argentina won a rather close match with Mexico, which went into extra time. England huffed and puffed (again) to victory over Ecuador, while Portugal came through an ill-tempered encounter with Holland, that featured a record 4 red cards.

The upcoming games include Italy v/s Australia, which could prove tricky for the Italians, thanks to the Aussies' fighting spirit and Guus Hiddink's guidance. Another interesting game is the one between Spain and France, both fancied sides, though France is low on form, while Spain isn't. Switzerland take on Ukraine in another match. The Ghanaians could ruffle quite a few Brazilian feathers with their strength and pace.

We already have 2 promising quarter-final match-ups decided. Let's see how the others shape up.

World Cup update

Well, the first 2 rounds of group matches are over. Let's have a look at what the possibilities are for all the groups.

Group A

The teams which will qualify have been decided, namely Germany and Ecuador. The winner of the group will be decided by the Germany-Ecuador game. Germany need to win to top the group, as they are behind on goal difference. Poland and Costa Rica are playing for pride after being eliminated from the tournament.

Group B

This is a more open group. England have already qualified, thanks to 2 rather fortuitous wins. Paraguay, are definitely out. But, Sweden and Trinidad & Tobago are in with a chance for the second qualifying spot. In fact, if Sweden beat England, they win the group. However, if the England-Sweden game is a draw, then England top the group and Sweden are in 2nd place, regardless of what happens in the T&T-Paraguay game. So, the islanders need to win if they are to nurture any hopes of qualification.

Group C

A rather tame end for the expected "Group of Death". Holland and Argentina meet to decide who tops the group. Cote d'Ivoire and Serbia & Montenegro play for pride in their game as both have alredy been eliminated.

Group D

A similar situation as in Group B. Portugal have already qualified with 2 wins. Mexico, who take on Portugal need to at least draw to stay out of reach of Angola, but they top the group if they win. Angola need to beat Iran by a 4 goal margin, and hope that Portugal beat Mexico. Iran are already out of it.

Group E

The most interesting group of the lot. A whole lot of permutations and combinations are possible, with everybody in with a chance. Italy needs at least a draw to get through. The Czech Republic need to beat Italy to be sure of qualification. A draw will suffice only if the other group game ends in a draw or if the US wins by less than 3 goals, thanks to better goal difference than Ghana. Ghana need to beat the US to qualify. The US can also qualify if they beat Ghana and Italy beat the Czechs, but a draw or Czech victory will bring goal difference into play.

Group F

Well, Brazil are through thanks to 2 narrow victories. They only need a draw against Japan to ensure topping the group. Australia need to win to ensure qualification, as a Japanese victory over Brazil can send them out of the tournament, but a draw might be enough, as the Japanese victory looks unlikely. Croatia need to beat Australia and hope that Brazil don't lose to Japan.

Group G

Another group to watch. France are in grave danger of being eliminated. They need to beat Togo by at least a 2 goal margin to ensure qualification, as a draw between the Swiss and the Koreans would leave all 3 level on 5 points, and goal difference would come into play. If either the Swiss or Koreans win, France's qualification becomes easier. Togo are already out of the tournament.

Group H

Spain have already qualified, and take on Saudi Arabia in their last game. The Saudis with 1 point need to win to have any hope of qualifying, but that looks unlikely. Ukraine takes on Tunisia, knowing that a win will see them through, although a draw might leave them vulnerable to a Saudi win. Tunisia are in the same boat as Saudi Arabia, only they have a much better goal difference.

This round of group games promises quite a bit of excitement. Let's see what happens.

The World Cup is here

At last, a month of good football. The saddest thing about the WC is that it comes once every 4 years. Now for my predictions for each group (Yeah, I got nothing else to do!)

Group A

Germany ought to top the group, with a bloody fight between Costa Rica, Poland and Ecuador for the second spot. Costa Rica do have some experienced campaigners like Paulo Wanchope.

Group B

England and Sweden should qualify, but Paraguay could surprise them. Trinidad & Tobago might cause the other 3 teams a few problems.

Group C

The most difficult group to predict, and also the most exciting to watch. Argentina and The Netherlands ought to qualify, but both Serbia & Montenegro and the Ivory Coast can easily upset them.

Group D

A relatively easy group to predict. Portugal & Mexico should qualify, though Iran can give them a few scares. Angola is an unknown quantity.

Group E

Another very interesting group. Italy and the Czech Republic are my picks, although the US could very easily turn the tables on both of them. Also, Ghana normally do well in the African regional tournaments, so they might cause a few scares.

Group F

Brazil should win this group. However the battle for the second spot between Croatia, Australia and Japan could get interesting. Japan made the knockout stages last time, Croatia finished 3rd in 1998, and Australia are in good form.

Group G

France should qualify here, though it is short of form. Switzerland and South Korea will battle it out for the second spot. Togo do not appear to pose any threat.

Group H

Spain should count themselves lucky to get one of the easiest groups in the tournament. Ukraine are expected to take the second spot. Saudi Arabia and Tunisia, though good on their day, do not appear to pose too much of a threat to the 2 European teams.