World Cup Second Round

The usual teams have moved on to the 2nd round. However, there were some surprises…

Germany
Ecuador
England
Sweden
Argentina
Holland
Portugal
Mexico
Italy
Ghana
Brazil
Australia
Switzerland
France
Spain
Ukraine

Ecuador, Ghana & Australia have replaced the much favoured Poland, Czech & Croatia.

Ivory Coast & South Korea almost made it. The latter lose out to a disputed offside where they should have just played on and not stand there as if the game had stopped. As we all know – play to the whistle NOT to the assistant referee’s flag!!

There are no Asian team in the 16 teams, major disappointment is the Japanese team who was not there at all. The Africans were average and will be see how they do in World Cup 2010.

Holland is not playing the total-football style as we would very much like to see. They are a one-Robben team! They will not be able to get through the Portuguese with players on form like Ronaldo and Deco. France will have trouble getting goals against the high flying Spanish.

My prediction for the rest of the games – Germany vs Argentina, England vs Portugal, Italy vs Switzerland & Brazil vs Spain then Germany vs Italy & England vs Brazil and finally a Germany vs Brazil final with Germany the Champion.

It would be a dream if England could get pass Brazil with their current performance to meet Germany in the final…again as it was said before…a dream.