Published on June 28, 2006 By O G San In Misc
Oh dear. Having set sail under a strong wind in the group stage, the good ship World Cup has been dashed onto the rocks by a combination of player cynicism and referee incompetence. The last sixteen was a rather disappointing round, with too many games decided by the officials. The final game of the lot - Spain versus France - provided the bulk of the good football all by itself. Let's see how my predictions turned out:

Germany v Sweden, 16:00
The hosts are hitting form, with both their strikers having found the net in the last match and the country starting to believe that a previously under-par team could go all the way. Even with the incomparable Larsson, Sweden look dire.
Prediction: Germany 2 Sweden 0


Result: Germany 2 Sweden 0

To my credit, bang-on with the first prediction. Germany looked to have found new momentum with Podolski scoring twice in the first 12 minutes. After that there was only going to be one winner and any lingering hopes Sweden may have had were dispelled when Teddy Lucic was ludicrously sent off for the merest of shirt pulls. The "incomparable Larsson" later balooned a penalty into the stands to confirm Sweden's exit.

Argentina v Mexico, 20:00
The best team so far will surely waltz past CONCACAF’s finest. Jose Peckerman has the luxury of bringing back fresh players having rested some of them agianst the Dutch.
Prediction: Argentina 3 Mexico 0


Result: Argentina 2 Mexico 1 AET

Right outcome, wrong result. I underestimated the Mexicans who gave the favourites a right old game (apparently, I missed this one).

England v Ecuador, 16:00
Those jammy Saxons, first they get the easiest group, then the easiest second round match. Nevertheless, England’s inability to string a few passes together should not be underestimated. The heart says Ecuador, the head says England.
Prediction: England 2 Ecuador 1


Result: England 1 Ecuador 0

Again I got the winner correct but not the scoreline. Yet another dire performance by a charmed English team. Beckham's expert free-kick hasn't protected the England captain from a good deal of criticism back home. In open play, the Real Madrid midfielder contributed very little once again.

Portugal v Holland, 20:00
Robben, Van Persie and Horseface will provide the Portuguese with a sterner test than Mexico, Angola and Iran. Holland have enough good players to win, but never underestimate the dark arts of a Big Phil team.
Prediction: Portugal 1 Holland 2


Result: Portugal 1 Holland 0

Wrong about everything (apart from the black arts). This was shaping up to be a great game until Costinha inexplicably handballed earning a second yellow. From then on, the game became a card-riddled farce with both teams ending with nine men.

Italy v Australia, 16:00
On paper this looks straightforward, Italy have significantly more world-class players than the Ozzies. The one doubt in my mind is the presence of perennial semi-finalist Guus Hiddink in the Australian dug-out.
Prediction: Italy 1 Australia 0


Result: Italy 1 Australia 0

Bang on. The game was marred by two poor refereeing decisions. First Materazzi was sent off for a yellow card offence, then in the last minute, Italy were wrongly awarded a penalty from which Totti scored. The fact remains though, that Australia minus Kewell created virtually nothing against the ten men of Italy.

Switzerland v Ukraine, 20:00
Oh God, one of these teams is going to make it to the last eight. Did Switzerland really win a World Cup group?
Prediction: Do I have to? OK, then. Switzerland 0 Ukraine 0, the Swiss to win on penalties after Shevy misses the crucial spot-kick.


Result: Switzerland 0 Ukraine 0 AET, Ukraine win 3-0 on penalties

Right about the scoreline, right about it going to penalties but wrong about the ultimate winner. I didn't bother watching this one and apparently I missed very little. Has any other team ever gone out of the World Cup, as the Swiss have just done, without conceding a goal?

Brazil v Ghana, 16:00
Could be a great game but Ghana will miss the suspended Essien. Fat Boy could pass Gerd Muller in the all-time scoring charts in this match.
Prediction: Brazil 4 Ghana 2


Result: Brazil 3 Ghana 0

Right outcome, wrong result. Ghana created plenty of chances but ultimatley lacked the killer instinct of their more illustrious opponents. Ronaldo did indeed break Gerd Muller's scoring record. Congratulations.

Spain v France, 20:00
Spain should have the edge here, given their considerably better form in the group stages. Au revoir, Monsieur Zidane.
Prediction: Spain 2 France 1


Result: Spain 1 France 3

Got everything wrong. The best game of the round saw an aged French team come from behind to defeat a young Spanish outfit. Having started woefully, Les Bleus seem to have hit form at just the right point. Rather than bid adieu, Monsieur Zidane rolled back the years with a fine performance topped with an elegant last-minute goal forcing me to eat le pie de humble.


Comments
on Jun 28, 2006
So any new predictions?

Here I'll try (though I don't really know much about football, so just humor me, ok?)

Germany v. Argentina: Argentina is definitely the better team (in my opinion, which means, quite frankly, very little), but Germany will have the advantage of being the host. I think it will be a 2-2 draw, with Argentina winning on penalities.

Italy v. Ukraine: I find the Ukraine to be a bit dull, and Italy to be a bit tiresome. Italy will win (Italy 2: Ukraine 0)-- but I imagine this will be the game that everyone moans over, questioning when the World Cup became so boring.

England v. Portugal: Despite playing without Deco and Costinha (and Ronaldo, maybe?), Portugal will beat England (Portugal 2: England 0). Rooney will look red-faced and sweaty. Beckham will continue to show the world the contents of his stomach and will fail to perform on any set pieces. Theo Walcott will remain with his backside on the bench. (Ok, I suppose those aren't really predictions... more, forgone conclusions). Figo, who is not Jesus (in case you were confused--you may thank Scolari for this bit of insight) will leave the game before the half.

Brazil v. France: Is there some sort of Adriano/Ronaldo competition that I am unaware of? Or has no one taught them how to share? Brazil just doesn't do it for me--they seem to lack team unity (but I do enjoy watching the post-goal dances). I say this one goes to France (France 2: Brazil 1)--especially if Henry continues to utilize his amazing acting skills.
on Jun 28, 2006
Thx for the reviews OG San. I saw a few of the games, not all, although I knew the outcome of each.

Germany v. Argentina: Argentina is definitely the better team (in my opinion, which means, quite frankly, very little), but Germany will have the advantage of being the host. I think it will be a 2-2 draw, with Argentina winning on penalities.


Bold prediction Shades. I am leaning towards agreeing with you though, both are very strong teams.
Italy v. Ukraine: I find the Ukraine to be a bit dull, and Italy to be a bit tiresome. Italy will win (Italy 2: Ukraine 0)-- but I imagine this will be the game that everyone moans over, questioning when the World Cup became so boring.


I think the Ukraine team are one to watch though. They had some good plays in their last game, rather surprisingly. I find them to be pretty darn aggressive, much like the Mexican team.


Beckham will continue to show the world the contents of his stomach and will fail to perform on any set pieces


you guys don't like him much uh?LOl!


Brazil just doesn't do it for me--they seem to lack team unity (but I do enjoy watching the post-goal dances


My husband said the same thing. I guess they are so used to being on show all the time. I enjoyed their plays though.
on Jun 28, 2006
you guys don't like him much uh?LOl!


I actually don't mind him--but I'm not too partial to watching anyone puke.