2010 World Cup Quarter-Finals Preview and Predictions
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Uruguay vs. Ghana
Uruguay
Uruguay displayed a useful blend of penetrative offense and suppressing defense in their Round of 16 match against South Korea. However, both of these attributes were not present the entire match, as Uruguay seemed blatantly complacent once they advanced to a 1-0 lead. Uruguay boasts solid defenders, but they can only hold off a full-on attack for so long. Uruguay is too reliant on Diego Forlán to maintain possession in the midfield and on the attack. Midfielders Diego Pérez and Edinson Cavani must display better control of the ball, allowing Forlán to focus on creating his own chances or setting up Luis Suárez in the box. When Forlán and Suárez are given the opportunity to focus on creating chances in the box, Uruguay is at their absolute best.
Ghana
The Ghanaians have been put on the spot after not only being the only African nation to advance to the knockout round, but also for being the team that ultimately ended the United States’ dream run. Ghana took full advantage of the United States’ miscues on defense, scoring their only two non-penalty kick goals of the tournament. It has been quite evident that Ghana has struggled to produce legitimate chances on its own. The team’s lone scoring threat, Asamoah Gyan, isn’t quite talented enough to generate opportunities by himself, and the absence of star midfielder Michael Essien has essentially eliminated the prospect of innovative passing in the midfield. However, if Ghana continues to savor the support of their continent, they could conceivably become the first African nation to ever reach the semifinals.
Match Prediction: Uruguay 1 – 0 Ghana
Netherlands vs. Brazil
Netherlands
Netherlands has overcome some injury concerns to continue their undefeated streak at the 2010 World Cup. Arjen Robben, getting the start against Slovakia despite a lingering thigh injury, tallied a goal in the 18th minute to put Netherlands in front for good. However, it is not only the World Cup that has seen Netherlands produce successful results. In four friendlies preceding the World Cup, Netherlands won all four matches by a combined margin of 14-4. That stat is all the more impressive considering three of those four matches came against 2010 World Cup participants. Now what the Dutch must do is overcome a minor dispute between Robin van Persie and coach Bert van Marwijk. Apparently, Van Persie was verbally displeased about being substituted from their match against Slovakia in the waning minutes. Van Persie has since denied that he ever made such comments, but the controversy still lingers and could impact the team’s performance. Van Persie’s misstep comes as a shame considering Netherlands was the most cohesive squad entering the quarterfinals.
Brazil
The most feared team in the history of international soccer is peaking at the most opportune time. Brazil’s Round of 16 victory over Chile was as decisive as they come, quite probably a direct result of Kaká’s improved play. Kaká has paralleled Brazil’s performance as a whole in 2010, serving as a sort of microcosm to the team. Kaká’s precise passing ability benefits no one more than Luís Fabiano. Fabiano isn’t as quick with the ball as his contemporary Robinho, so he must rely on others to set him up with favorable touches that spring him onto goal. But the strength of the Brazil squad doesn’t rest solely with its starters. Brazil’s reserves are very capable of relieving any of their starters without sacrificing much in terms of chemistry. Nilmar is a prime example of a player who has come on late in games that has given Brazil an extra threat up front. With the tournament entering its later stages, substitutes will surely play an expanding role on the outcome of these knockout matches.
Match Prediction: Netherlands 1 – 2 Brazil
Argentina vs. Germany
Argentina
Diego Maradona’s charismatic behavior has been one of the most entertaining stories to follow throughout the entire tournament. Perhaps his mad antics have been premeditated in an attempt to redirect attention away from his star players so that they have the opportunity to focus on nothing but the game. If this is the case, Maradona has put together one of the most original, if not humorous, coaching stints in history. Argentina has been the most free-spirited team in the World Cup. It seems as if the players have had nothing to distract their focused demeanor from attaining their goal. If any criticism were to be directed their way, it would have to be over the fact that their defense has yet to face an elite offense. Yes, Mexico is a formidable young opponent, but they are currently a notch below some of the other top teams in the world. Germany, Argentina’s next opponent, is one of the classiest squads in history and should provide Argentina’s defenders a chance to show how prepared they really are.
Germany
Every World Cup, Germany seems to produce a crop of young players that make an immediate impact on the team’s success. In 2002, Miroslav Klose burst onto the stage with a remarkable five-goal performance. In 2006, Lukas Podolski was awarded the Best Young Player award. This year’s young stars include Thomas Müller and Mesut Özil. Müller plays on the right wing and is proficient in every aspect of the attack and build-up, evidenced by his three goals and three assists thus far. Özil has been faced with the challenge of replacing Germany’s lost captain Michael Ballack, but he has done so admirably. Özil has been remarkably reliable during critical stretches of the tournament. Overall, Germany possesses one of the most dynamic squads in the world, conveying a sense of balance between their offense and defense.
Match Prediction: Argentina 3 – 2 Germany
Paraguay vs. Spain
Paraguay
Paraguay has staggered into the quarter-finals. Having not scored a goal in their previous two matches, Paraguay clearly has issues when it comes to touches in the box, and they couldn’t have picked a worse time to go cold. While Spain hasn’t scored the vast amount of goals that was expected of them, they are always a threat to explode offensively. It is not enough anymore for Paraguay to just recline into a defensive stupor. Paraguay’s strikers must simply be more creative in the attacking third. Forwards Roque Santa Cruz and Nelson Haedo Valdez need to apply their skills more constructively if Paraguay hopes to continue their unpredictable journey.
Spain
Spain’s long-term success in this tournament is reliant upon Fernando Torres’ ability to get back to full form. It’s as if there is a race going on between the amount of days in between each match and Torres’ fitness level. Fortunately for Spain, they have drawn against one of the least threatening teams remaining in the tournament. Therefore, even if Torres doesn’t reach his peak before Saturday’s match, Spain still should be able to exploit Paraguay’s relative lack of talent. With Xavi and David Villa finally connecting with each other to produce a goal in their previous match, the entirety of Spain’s attack looks to be rounding into form at the right time.
Match Prediction: Paraguay 0 – 2 Spain
Good job, Ian. I mostly agree, though I hope you’re wrong about Germany.
Here are my predictions, with a bit caveat at the end:
http://sites.google.com/a/soccerquantified.com/www/project-updates/usingdatatomakeworldcupquarterfinalspredictionsacautionarytale
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