A lot can happen in a week. For one, England captain Rio Ferdinand is now out, replaced with the even more chronically injured Ledley King. Holland’s Arjen Robben, the Ivory Coast’s Didier Drogba, the United States’ Jozy Altidore, Nigeria’s John Obi Mikel and Italy’s Andrea Pirlo are all probably out too. In the meantime, France lost to China in a warm-up, and the defending champions lost to Mexico, before drawing the lowly Swiss.
Anyway, I’m not going to be a baby about this and let all these injuries and poor performances change my picks (Ummm… Ivory Coast over Portugal… yikes). So here we go, March Madness bracket style…
ROUND OF 16
France (Winners of group A) versus South Korea (The Runners-Up of group B)
Do the streaking Mexicans look like the much better bet to win Group A? Yes, but ces’t la vie. The French have been playing horrible, but there’s just too much talent here for them to lose against the South Koreans. Park Ji-Sung is a great complimentary player for a top club like Manchester United, but he’s not the transcendent star (a la Zidane) that a mediocre squad like South Korea would need to carry them into the quarter-finals.
Prediction: France 1 – 0
England (Winners of Group C) versus Australia (Runners up of Group D)
England was lucky enough to get drawn into a weak group, and the good times won’t end there as they take on the overmatched Australians. Look for Rooney and Co. to run up the score.
Prediction: England 3 – 0
Holland (Winners of Group E) versus Paraguay (Runners up of Group F)
I really, really like this Dutch squad. Unlike the English or Italians that play down to the level of their competition, the Dutch have been crushing the minnows that they’ve faced in warm-up friendlies. Now this is the killer instinct you’d expect from people that wear wooden shoes!
Prediction: Holland 4 – 1
Brazil (Winners of Group G) versus Chile (Runners-up of Group H)
This morning I watched the Brazillian team toy with an overmatched Tanzanian squad during a friendly in Tanzania. This was of particular interest to me because I actually saw that stadium a few years ago during a trip to Dar Es Salaam. The stadium, built by the Tanzanian government with Chinese money, was chosen over less essential social services like hospitals or schools. Did I mention that the government also paid the Brazillian squad a couple million dollars for the privilege of getting trounced by them on their field? Good times. Anyway, let’s just say that while the Chileans are a considerably better squad than the Tanzanians, they don’t stand much of a better chance.
Prediction: Brazil 3-1
Argentina (Winners of Group B) versus Mexico (Runners-up of Group A)
The Argentinians have not looked good, while the Mexicans have looked sharp. Having the greatest player in the world does no good if you don’t know how to play him, and Maradona does not. Am I predicting the upset? Indeed I am.
Prediction: Mexico 1 - 0
Germany (Winners of Group D) versus the United States (Runners-up of Group C)
While I would like to believe the Americans led by Sly Stallone and Pele could somehow win this game against the evil Germans, it’s just not likely. The Germans always rise to the occasion every four years, and the Americans just don’t have the tools. Expect some spirited play from Landon Donovan and Fulham star Clint Dempsey (who’s actually really, really good) before the Germans stop fooling around and dump the Americans easily.
Prediction: Germany 2-0
Italy (Winners of Group F) versus Cameroon (Runners-up of Group E)
How fantastic would it be if the Cameroon squad could pull this off? Like when Anh Jung-Hwan got let go from his Italian club team after eliminating Italy, could Sam Eto’o get dumped from Inter after putting the dagger into the hearts of the Azzuri? I would very much like that, but unfortunately, I wouldn’t wager on it.
Prediction: Italy 1-0
Spain (Winners of Group H) versus Ivory Coast (Runners-up of Group G)
Okay, would I like to change this to Portugal after knowing about Drogba’s injury? Possibly, but Cristiano could always slip on the twelve pounds of hair gel he puts on every morning and sprain his ankle, so it’s not a lost cause. Anyway, without Drogba the Ivory Coast really have little chance against the global All-Stars that are the Spanish team, so let’s just say that the Spaniards will probably roll-over who they play regardless… unless they choke.
Prediction: Spain 2-1
THE QUARTERS
France versus England
The Hundred-Year War was never properly settled anyway. Ribery always steps up his game against an English side, and this is where England traditionally chokes anyway. So the French would seem to have a decent shot... but not really. The knock on this England squad is that it’s full of names, but not much cohesion; well, this time having all the names will be enough. Look for Rooney to run rampant over an over-matched French defense.
Prediction: England 3-1
Holland versus Brazil
Psst, want to know a secret? The Brazilians never match-up well against Northern European teams. In the past they always managed to get by, but not this time. Expect the Dutch and their never ending supply of 8-foot tall strikers to overwhelm a shell-shocked Brazilian squad with some early goals, and send the Brazilians home at the quarter-finals stage for the second World Cup in a row.
Prediction: Holland 2-1
Mexico versus Germany
I like this Mexico squad a lot, but not enough to predict two huge upsets over Soccer superpowers. By the way, is there a sport that the Germans aren’t great at? It’s all a little unsettling quite frankly.
Prediction: Germany 3-1
Italy versus Spain
Good golly this will be a good game. Can the unstoppable force (Spain’s offense) crack the immovable object (Italy’s defense?) I’m betting it can, at least once, and you know that once that happens, Italy doesn’t have the offensive juices to equalise. Expect the finest midfield ever assembled to dominate possession, and send the defending champs home.
Prediction: Spain 2-0
THE SEMIS
England versus Holland
The English will put up a good fight, but expect Dutch strikers Van Persie, Robben, and Huntelaar to feast on the aged and crippled English defense. Ledley King and John Terry just don’t have the size or pace to keep these guys off the scoreboard, and while the English might keep it close, God help them if it goes to penalty kicks. Expect the Dutch to move onto their third ever World Cup Finals.
Prediction: Holland 2-1
Germany versus Spain
Discipline and precision will only carry you so far. Eventually that lack of talent will catch up to you. And here’s where it does for the German squad. The Spanish will be just too much for them. Expect a late goal from David Villa, after an exhausted German defense can no longer keep them at bay.
Prediction: Spain 1-0
THE WORLD CUP FINAL
Spain versus Holland
Can the Spaniards follow their Euro 2008 win with a World Cup win in 2010? The French won the Euro and World Cup back to back, and their squad wasn’t as talented at this one. These guys are just too good not to win.
Prediction: Spain 3-2
I just heard that Nani's out too. It's so crazy that all these superstars are getting hurt right before the tournament. I think the loss of Nani and Drogba might end up canceling each other out and Brazil should be able to take the group as you predicted,
as I was going through the bracket I saw how plausible it was for England to reach the final... I can see how easily the English can fool themselves into believing every year.
having said all that, i could see 8 or 9 teams plausibly making the final. this tournament is going to be awesome.
yeah it'll be an interesting cup. I have England going to the third place match myself...
as for ivory coast, I wish that the loss of Nani was enough to counter the loss of Drogba but there is no Ivory Coast equivalent of Cristiano Ronaldo to pick up the slack unfortunately....
Up until Drogba's injury I had them to beat Portugal actually. But Drogba will likely miss the first game - which is the one against Portugal and the one they definitely need to win/tie. My African hopes are going with Cameroon
Spain has the finest midfield ever assembled? We may want to cut down on the overstatements until after they win a few games...
I guess Greece once had the best central defenders in the world then...right.
A Spain:Holland final?! No way The Dutch will totally choke in the 2nd round as they always do despite being such a great side... And I will bet you a beer on it!