With one day to go to the Round of 16 to start, let us take a look at the prospects of the sixteen who have qualified for this round. If you had read the original Who will win the FIFA World Cup 2014, written one day before the start of the World Cup Finals, I have no doubt you will appreciate how true the finer points turned out to be.
Out of the 7 teams I plugged for, five have come through - Brazil, Germany, Argentina, France and Chile. You might say that practically everyone can predict that line up, along with Spain and Italy, which are the two teams which lost out. But the beauty is I did not name England, Portugal, Ghana or Ivory Coast which many had high hopes on. Even with Spain, I had expressed my doubts. The outing of the Azzurri was one shocker I did not expect.
So here is the line up with the times in IST for the people back home to follow.
(image grab from Google/FIFA, modified for IST)
One look shows us how lopsided the groups have been. The left side Round-16 seems solidly packed with strong teams, while the right side Round-16, IMHO, have at least 3 which have no place there.
To the left we are probably going to watch France take on Germany in the Quarter Finals. After the exit of Luis Suarez, Colombia is most likely to take on Brazil, in the other Quarter.
To the right, we have only one team which can take on, and (probably) defeat any one of those three (of the left) - Argentina. Of the rest, Belgium, Costa Rica, and Netherlands are not skilful enough to confront the other 4 or five (if we include Colombia).
Greece and Mexico got through to the Round of 16 because of their strong defence. An impenetratable defensive shield is not enough for victory, or progress to the Quarter Finals, and they can be counted out. Belgium, Switzerland, and USA have looked impressive - against even more pathetic opponents.
Personally, I think the USA goal keeper Tim Howard is their weakest link - though my nephew chided me saying that Tim Howard is one of (if not) the best keeper in football today. But I am not impressed with his showing in the FIFA World Cup 2014 Finals, and feel that the Belgians would preserve.
Netherlands vs. Costa Rica Quarter Finals match would be interesting to watch - alas, it is at 01:30 India time, and poor old me needs all my rest. In any case, neither of them can withstand the power and the play of Argentina - with or without Messi - in the Semi Finals.
So, barring a mega-upset, prepare for Brazil vs. Germany, and Argentina vs. Netherlands in the Semi Finals. To me, the Semi Finals on 09th July 01:30 India Time would be the Finals.
;-)
Out of the 7 teams I plugged for, five have come through - Brazil, Germany, Argentina, France and Chile. You might say that practically everyone can predict that line up, along with Spain and Italy, which are the two teams which lost out. But the beauty is I did not name England, Portugal, Ghana or Ivory Coast which many had high hopes on. Even with Spain, I had expressed my doubts. The outing of the Azzurri was one shocker I did not expect.
So here is the line up with the times in IST for the people back home to follow.
(image grab from Google/FIFA, modified for IST)
One look shows us how lopsided the groups have been. The left side Round-16 seems solidly packed with strong teams, while the right side Round-16, IMHO, have at least 3 which have no place there.
To the left we are probably going to watch France take on Germany in the Quarter Finals. After the exit of Luis Suarez, Colombia is most likely to take on Brazil, in the other Quarter.
To the right, we have only one team which can take on, and (probably) defeat any one of those three (of the left) - Argentina. Of the rest, Belgium, Costa Rica, and Netherlands are not skilful enough to confront the other 4 or five (if we include Colombia).
Greece and Mexico got through to the Round of 16 because of their strong defence. An impenetratable defensive shield is not enough for victory, or progress to the Quarter Finals, and they can be counted out. Belgium, Switzerland, and USA have looked impressive - against even more pathetic opponents.
Personally, I think the USA goal keeper Tim Howard is their weakest link - though my nephew chided me saying that Tim Howard is one of (if not) the best keeper in football today. But I am not impressed with his showing in the FIFA World Cup 2014 Finals, and feel that the Belgians would preserve.
Netherlands vs. Costa Rica Quarter Finals match would be interesting to watch - alas, it is at 01:30 India time, and poor old me needs all my rest. In any case, neither of them can withstand the power and the play of Argentina - with or without Messi - in the Semi Finals.
So, barring a mega-upset, prepare for Brazil vs. Germany, and Argentina vs. Netherlands in the Semi Finals. To me, the Semi Finals on 09th July 01:30 India Time would be the Finals.
;-)
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