Global Superpowers prepare to do battle in the Quarter-Finals

There have been fleeting moments of romantic joy at this year’s World Cup but there will probably be no fairytale ending for an underdog. The global superpowers of international football are all jockeying for position in what looks set to be a mouth-watering culmination to the slow-burning tournament.

Following Spain’s narrow 1-0 win over their Iberian rivals Portugal, the line-up for the quarter-finals was completed.

The business end of the World Cup has so far failed to produce any great surprises. Uruguay v Ghana is the tie of the underdog, two sides who are overjoyed to have got this far, transforming to a state of national ecstasy should they emerge as unlikely semi-finalists.

BOTH BRAZIL AND THE NETHERLANDS HAVE TIGHTENED UP

Brazil v the Netherlands will be the first quarter-final tie, played on Friday afternoon at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Both sides haven’t been typically gung-ho, steely resistance having been added to their more traditional flair.

Both teams though possess attacking players capable of lighting up the highly anticipated match.

Brazil’s attacking triumvirate of Luis Fabiano, Kaka and the rejuvenated Robinho have managed to cut through opponents with ease, barring their 0-0 stalemate against their resolute Portuguese cousins in what was essentially a dead rubber at the end of the group stage.

Ominously for the other remaining sides, an adventurous Chile team found to their peril in their 3-0 last 16 defeat that the Brazilians are difficult to penetrate besides having the ability to score with apparent ease. Midfield destroyer Gilberto Silva guards a formidably well-organised back-line, marshalled by Lucio and capable of breaking to deadly effect through wing-backs Maicon and Michel Bastos.

The Netherlands welcomed back the inspirational Arjen Robben in recent games and his goal sent them on their way to victory over surprise package Slovakia. Creative tour de force, Wesley Sneijder, has driven the Dutch on and with the tireless Dirk Kuyt and fleet-footed Robin van Persie in attack; the men in orange certainly pack their own punch.

The Dutch defence was criticised before the tournament began and highlighted as a potential weak point. Ageing Giovanni van Bronckhorst has captained the side and has been ably assisted by Johnny Heitinga and co. So far they have only conceded twice, both efforts proving to be merely consolation goals from Cameroon and Slovakia.

LATIN SENSIBILITIES CLASH WITH SPAIN VS PARAGUAY

Paraguay have made it to the quarter-final stage for the first time and are just one of the four South-American teams to make an appearance in the last eight.

They face an enormous test against a Spanish side that still look as if they have more to offer. Portugal’s caution against Spain was symptomatic of the tournament as a whole however thankfully their defensive frugality was vanquished. BBC pundit Alan Hansen described it as a “victory for attacking football.”

Paraguay will be mindful of the threat posed by David Villa who has so far scored four goals in the tournament and will be looking to claim the Golden Boot. His strike partner, Fernando Torres hasn’t looked fully fit and could be replaced however with arch-schemers Andreas Iniesta and Xavi pulling the strings, chances will not be rare however can Villa’s goals alone carry them through?

One negative aspect of Spain’s game that the Paraguayans, including Roque Santa Cruz and Lucas Barrios, will look to exploit, is their occasionally static defence. Goalkeeper Iker Casillas has not been imperious and had Portugal been more accurate in front of goal, they could have punished the languid and erratic pairing of Carlos Puyol and Gerard Piqué.

OLD RIVALS MEET IN CLASH OF THE TITANS BETWEEN ARGENTINA AND GERMANY

Diego Maradona’s Argentina will square off against Joachim Loew’s hungry Germany side with plenty of history between the two countries, including West Germany’s triumph over the Argentines in a fiery final in 1990 and their victory on home soil in 2006 in an equally unsavoury encounter with pitched battles at the end.

Argentina have yet to be properly tested by any team capable of attacking with potency and intent. Mexico displayed signs of breaking Argentina’s resolve until their hearts were ultimately broken by Carlos Tevez’s disputed opener and the quick-fire second from the predatory Gonzalo Higuain that followed in their 3-1 defeat.

Possible defensive frailties in the Argentine side have so far been counter-balanced by their ruthless displays in front of goal and the magic of Lionel Messi as he has dazzled opponents, alongside the pace and trickery of Real Madrid bound Angel Di Maria.

A relatively inexperienced German team may lack the quality of their opponents however their ability to break at pace combined with quick thought and organisation will see Argentina pushed all the way.

As demonstrated with ruthless efficiency against England, Germany will be ready to capitalise on any mistakes made with the three-pronged attack of Lukas Podolski, Miroslav Klose and the incorrigible Thomas Mueller providing a significant threat.

If Germany allow Messi to pull their slow defensive partnership of Per Mertesacker and Arne Friedrich around there could be problems however Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira could opt to shackle the world’s best player, much to the detriment of Argentina but perhaps to the advantage of their own midfield wizard, Mesut Ozil.

GHANA HOPE THE AFRICAN TORCH WILL NOT BE EXTINGUISHED BY URUGUAY

Ghana are the last remaining African side in a tournament that began with big hopes for the continent’s six teams participating. They could make history if they defeat a stubborn and crafty Uruguay team and could become the first African semi-finalist, a marvellous fillip amidst greater underachievement from the continent.

Uruguay, twice winners of the competition, are enjoying their finest run in the competition since 1970 and their blend of dogged defensive resistance and attacking guile, spearheaded by the deadly Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez, has so far been successful with six goals scored and only one conceded, that during their recent 2-1 victory over South Korea.

Ghana are a powerful side, epitomised by striker Asamoah Gyan’s blitz through the USA defence to score their winner in extra-time. Kevin-Prince-Boateng also shone, scoring the opener and his direct running could trouble Uruguayan defender Diego Lugano should he shake off a hamstring problem.

AMBITION NOT CAUTION IS WHAT FANS WANT TO SEE

Knockout football has arrived and let’s hope teams abandon caution to produce noteworthy matches worthy of Africa’s first World Cup. Some of the biggest names in international football remain and so far only Brazil and to an extent, Argentina, have lived up to top billing although the Argentine’s under Maradona were previously seen as outsiders.

The Netherlands and Spain have still to convince some doubters whilst to some German fans, mindful of the lack of tournament experience in their side, they’ve already overachieved. Uruguay and Ghana are living the dream and Paraguay are hoping to cause the second upset to befall the Spanish.

It’s going to be a long two days without football. Let the games begin.

By William Geldart