GHANA vs USA. Tomorrow, Rustenburg, 8.30pm, Round of 16 (Match 50) Africa’s last hope at success at
the World Cup takes on a relentless USA team in a game that will see whether Ghana can better their showing at the last tournament in Germany where Brazil thumped them 3-0 in Round 16.
GHANA vs USA. Tomorrow, Rustenburg, 8.30pm, Round of 16 (Match 50) Africa’s last hope at success at
the World Cup takes on a relentless USA team in a game that will see whether Ghana can better their showing at the last tournament in Germany where Brazil thumped them 3-0 in Round 16.
This time round, Ghana looks more confident, and despite only scoring twice so far, they have showed a certain determination on the field especially when they have the ball at their feet.
The USA looks equally strong, coming off a late winner in their final group match that ensured that they qualified and topped Group C ahead of England.
Their never-saydie attitude got them draws against England and Slovenia, coming from behind to equalise
in both games.
Coach Bob Bradley is a master tactician and will no doubt have plans to keep players like Ghana target man Asamoah Gyan in check.
The Black Stars, however, will have the backing of the entire continent and this might prove to be what separates the teams.
The winner of this game will play the winner of Uruguay and Korea Republic – arguably a less difficult draw at this stage of the tournament.
This might very well be the best path Africa has had to their first semi-final at the World Cup. Germany vs England.
Sunday, Bloemfontein, 4pm, Round of 16 (Match 51) One of the biggest rivalries in world football will writes itself another chapter on Sunday when England takes on Germany to compete for a place in the last eight of the tournament.
The teams have met four times in World Cup history with the most famous meeting being the 1966 final when England won their only World Cup after extra time.
In 1990, however, Germany knocked England out in the semi-final in a penalty shoot-out, and went on to win the tournament.
England hasn’t been anywhere close to impressive while the Germans have suffered a loss despite shining in their first game.
You get the feeling that, like France in 2006, England’s slow start might peak at just the right moment, but beating Germany won’t be an easy task.
The German unit is welloiled and boasts young players like Mesut Oezil who couples speed and resilience with good strategic play.
It’s worth mentioning that all of England and Germany’s previous appearances at the World Cup have ended in a draw after 90 minutes so be prepared for a nail-biting finish to this last 16 encounter.
Argentina vs Mexico. Sunday, Johannesburg, 8.30pm, Round of 16 (Match 52) Sunday’s second game will feature two-time champions Argentina against a competent Mexico side, in a repeat of last year’s round 16 thriller at Germany 2006.
Argentina ran out victors in that game when Maxi Rodriguez scored the goal of the tournament to send Mexico home.
Rodriguez will be out to replicate that performance with the support of a highly-rated Argentinean team that has bagged three out of three wins so far.
In contrast, Mexico has stuttered through to the last 16, edging out hosts South Africa to qualify on goal difference.
They do, however, have the ability to upset the South Americans, but lack the big-match temperament as they have only managed to get to the last eight twice.
Argentina has been in three finals, and with the last being 20 years ago, so they will be hungry for more success.
The winner will face eitherGermany or England, so if Argentina are challenging for a final berth, they will have to make sure they have all the confidence going into a possible quarterfinal.
