World Cup Preview: Quarterfinals

The Round of 16 provided a fair share of good action as most of the games came down to the wire. While teams like Germany, Argentina, and Brazil romped to the quarterfinals. Eight teams now remain for the right to move on to the semi-finals. Several favorites continue to look good while teams like Ghana and Paraguay have been big surprises. Paraguay and Japan gave us our first penalty kicks of this World Cup while the United States and Ghana had to go 120 minutes before a winner was declared. After 56 games, my record stands at 37-19. As the quarterfinals start, the games only become that much better and intense. There are a couple games worthy of the World Cup final and personally think the winners have a great chance to move to the Final.

Quarterfinals

Netherlands vs Brazil:
The Netherlands have won many World Cups games, but have yet to win the big one. Brazil have won the World Cup 5 times. So, this one is a battle between arguably the best nation without a World Cup title and the one with the most. Brazil is ranked #1 and came into this year's World Cup one of the favorites. They have begun to get stronger each game, but the Dutch have also been gelling quite well; just not as in as flashy fashion. Twice during the 1990s, Brazil was responsible for eliminating the Netherlands. Now that Arjen Robben is back, he gives the Dutch a one-two punch with Wesley Sneijder. The Dutch will need to be nearly flawless as Brazil has shown few weaknesses with Kaka, Robinho, and Luis Fabiano giving them a tough three-headed monster with a few capable guys behind them. Chile played a fairly good defensive game yet Brazil capitalized on the openings they were given. If the Netherlands allow Brazil to get a couple easy goals, it will be a tough uphill climb. Part of me is rooting for the Dutch to win this one because they have yet to win it all. But another part of me cannot deny what I have seen from Brazil thus far. This will be a close one and the it will take two halves to win this one for sure. PREDICTION: NETHERLANDS 1, BRAZIL 2

Uruguay vs Ghana:
Uruguay has used a tough defense along with a spread open offense to win Group A and then defeat South Korea. While Ghana has not looked especially good, but a timely goal here or there usually by Asamoah Gyan has helped Ghana become the third African nation to make it to the quarterfinals. Ghana also has the whole continent of Africa behind it as they are the sole African nation and the fans will certainly give Ghana an extra boost. Gyan continued his clutch kicks as he landed one in extra time to get Ghana past the United States after the two needed more than 90 minutes to get a winner. Worth mentioning during Ghana's run is the absence of their best player, Michael Essien. One has to wonder how much more does Ghana have left. Ghana's defense will have to continue its good play as Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez have been dangerous and opportunistic thus far. The Uruguay defense gave up its first goal against South Korea. The nation was one of the original soccer powers, but has fallen off during much of the second half of the Cup's existence. This looks like a possible revival. Ghana will play hard, but will come up just short. PREDICTION: URUGUAY 2, GHANA 1

Argentina vs Germany:
Both soccer powerhouses cruised to victories over Mexico and England, respectively. Then as the week has gone on, the trash talk has increased. Deigo Maradona has not been shy and the German team has not refrained from holding back. The two met four years ago in the same round with Germany prevailing in penalty kicks. Both teams have new members, but anyone on either of those squads have not forgot about that game. Both teams have looked very good overall and set up a potential blockbuster match capable of a World Cup final. Bastian Schweinsteiger was one of the German who was especially vocal in exchanges with Maradona. Despite Lionel Messi's lack of scoring, he has shot very well and has gotten a lot of help from Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain. On the German side, Miroslav Klose has had young guns Thomas Mueller, Mesut Ozil, and Lukas Podolski alongside him creating a quick strike offense that beat down the English. This team has made strides before and during the World Cup without star Michael Ballack, who has been out with injuries. This one might get physical with the tense environment created. Something will have to give in this offensive showdown. PREDICTION: ARGENTINA 3, GERMANY 2

Paraguay vs Spain:
Spain stumbled to start this year's World Cup, but that seems like a distant memory as they are poised to get to the semis if not win the whole thing. They are playing at a high level and David Villa has been as close to a sure thing throughout the World Cup for them. Spain has often come up at the World Cup and have years of disappointment in the back of their minds going into a matchup with Paraguay. The Spaniards have not scored a lot, but have gotten that one goal they needed to keep their hope alive. Paraguay has not looked especially great, but they have used their defense and timely plays to skate through group play and then get by Japan in penalty kicks. Fernando Torres for Spain has been one of the many superstars who have lacked star power at this year's World Cup. Paraguay has only surrendered one goal thus far and I see them giving up at least one year; probably to Villa. Spain has enough weapons to stifle most of what Paraguay might throw at them. PREDICTION: PARAGUAY 0, SPAIN 1

After three weeks of action and overall great games, we will have the final four carved out from the initial 32. Four teams will take that next step to next week's semis and ultimately the championship final. All four games look to be close, hard fought games with a couple main events in the quarterfinal round.