Netherlands will take on Slovakia and Brazil will play with Chile during their Round of 16, Durban Stadium, Durban on Monday at FIFA World Cup.
Netherlands Vs Slovakia
The Round of 16 game between the Netherlands and Slovakia pits one of the tournament favourites against a nation making its first FIFA World Cup appearance in its own right. Despite the obvious contrast between the star-studded Oranje and their lesser-known but close-knit rivals, it promises to be a fascinating duel.
In contrast to a number of Europe’s other big guns, the Oranje managed to assert their authority in their section, Group E, in which they were never seriously troubled. After beating Denmark 2-0 in their opener, they defeated Japan 1-0 to secure their berth in the Round of 16 before taking on an already-eliminated Cameroon in their first-phase fixture. Coach Bert van Marwijk used the occasion to run the rule over some of some of his squad players, and still came out 2-1 winners. The Netherlands’ strength in depth, along with the return to fitness of stand-out winger Arjen Robben, suggests the team are strong title contenders, though they will not be underestimating opponents that have already created one of the biggest shocks of the tournament so far by undoing Italy.
For their part, Slovakia took some time to find top gear, but when they did it proved too much for the reigning world champions. The central Europeans showed their inexperience at this level in allowing New Zealand to secure a late equaliser in their opening fixture, and then were outplayed in a 2-0 reverse by Paraguay. However, they upset the form book with a gritty and skilled display to secure a memorable 3-2 win that put Italy out of the FIFA World Cup.
Brazil Vs Chile
Brazil to take on Chile during Round of 16 at Ellis Park, Johannesburg.
Brazil will be vying to beat Chile for the third time in three FIFA World Cup meetings, with the prize on offer a place in the quarter-finals. Whoever they are facing, the five-time champions come under pressure to win every match with unrivalled swagger.
That is the price they pay for starting each tournament as favourites, the burden of their success down the years, yet they can expect stiff opposition from South American rivals who have been in fine form since Marcelo Bielsa took over at the helm. Add in the carrot of a coveted berth in the last eight and all the ingredients are present for an open yet fiery encounter, not least since Chile lost 4-2 and 3-0 to Dunga’s charges in qualifying and will be desperate to turn the tables.
A Selecao found life difficult against group-stage opponents Korea DPR and Portugal, struggling to find a way through a sturdy defensive barrier on both occasions. Despite dominating possession, Brazil had trouble picking out their forwards in dangerous positions and endured plenty of frustration. That is not a problem they are likely to find repeated against Chile, however, as Bielsa’s flamboyant side are unlikely to settle for cautious counter-attacking football.
Still, La Roja will need to keep things tight at the back. With the likes of Robinho, Kaka and Luis Fabiano sniffing out openings, Chile will require levels of commitment and organisation similar to those they displayed against Spain, when even down to ten men they managed to keep the European champions at bay- save for the two mistakes that cost them goals. They will nonetheless have to cope without Marco Estrada, sent off against Spain, and suspended duo Waldo Ponce and Gary Medel, while Brazil could be deprived the services of injured pair Felipe Melo and Julio Baptista.
सोमवार, 28 जून 2010
Argentina Enter Quarter-Finals
Johannesburg: Two-time champions Argentina profited from yet another officiating mistake at the 2010 World Cup to beat Mexico 3-1 on Sunday and set up a quarter-final date with Germany.
Carlos Tevez scored twice, though his opening goal in the 26th minute should have been disallowed, but Italian linesman Stefano Ayroldi failed to rule that the Manchester City striker was clearly offside.
Gonzalo Higuain hit the shocked Mexicans for the 2-0 lead and his fourth of the tournament in the 33rd minute after a defensive miscue. And then Tevez finished any hopes for Mexico with a hammer blast in the 52nd minute.
Javier Hernandez scored a consolation goal in the 71st minute for the Mexicans in front of 84,377 fans at Johannesburg's Soccer City Stadium.
Next up for the 1978 and 1986 champions Argentina is a sixth FIFA World Cup showdown with Germany Saturday. The game will also be a rematch of Germany's quarter-final penalty shootout win in 2006.
The other two Germany-Argentina highlights were Argentina beating Germany in the 1986 final and Germany returning the favour over Argentina in the 1990 final.
Mexico meanwhile head home from a World Cup yet again after losing at the Round of 16 stage - as had been the case in the previous four tournaments.
The one negative was that Argentina star Lionel Messi, who turned 23 Thursday, once again failed to make the scorer's list. The midfield magician has not scored for Argentina since November, when he converted a penalty against Spain in a 2-1 defeat.
Not surprisingly, Argentina coach Diego Maradona brought Higuain back into attack with Tevez, while Nicolas Burdisso continued to deputise for injured Walter Samuel. Also back were Angel Di Maria, captain Javier Mascherano and Gabriel Heinze, who were all rested against Greece.
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre started with new Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez, who was on the bench in the 1-0 defeat by Uruguay.
Mexico started the game in fine form with a number of strong chances.
Carlos Salcido hammered a long ball off the crossbar in the eighth minute and Andres Guardado's left foot shot went just centimetres wide of the far left post a minute later.
And then Hernandez went wide right in the 14th minute as the Mexican defence stood well early on.
But it was Argentina who grabbed the lead in the 26th minute on an officiating mistake.
Messi played through to Tevez, but Mexico keeper Oscar Perez blocked the ball back to Messi. The Barcelona playmaker then flicked the ball back onto Tevez, who was offside before heading home - though linesman Ayroldi missed the call.
Before Mexico could find their way back into the game, Argentina doubled the lead in the 33rd minute - this time on a mistake by the Mexican backline: Mexican defender Ricardo Osorio played the ball directly into the path of Higuain and the Real Madrid striker held off Osorio, circled Perez and slotted home to take the lead in the
2010 World Cup scorer's list.
Tempers rose at the end of the first half as the teams had to be separated on their way into the dressing rooms.
Then Tevez made sure that it was not just mistakes that allowed Argentina to advance to the final eight with a fantastic goal to make it 3-0 at the 52-minute mark: Out of nothing, Tevez unleashed a brilliant hammer strike from 25 yards into the upper right corner.
Mexico remained determined to at least get on the scoreboard with substitute Pablo Barrera hitting the side netting at the hour mark.
And Argentine defender Martin Demichelis cleared an attempt by Barrera at the goal line with 20 minutes left.
Mexico pulled back a goal with 19 minutes left on a fine individual effort by Hernandez, who spun on his marker and struck into the roof of the net.
But that would be all Argentina would allow - and Perez made a superb save on Messi two minutes into stoppage time.
Carlos Tevez scored twice, though his opening goal in the 26th minute should have been disallowed, but Italian linesman Stefano Ayroldi failed to rule that the Manchester City striker was clearly offside.
Gonzalo Higuain hit the shocked Mexicans for the 2-0 lead and his fourth of the tournament in the 33rd minute after a defensive miscue. And then Tevez finished any hopes for Mexico with a hammer blast in the 52nd minute.
Javier Hernandez scored a consolation goal in the 71st minute for the Mexicans in front of 84,377 fans at Johannesburg's Soccer City Stadium.
Next up for the 1978 and 1986 champions Argentina is a sixth FIFA World Cup showdown with Germany Saturday. The game will also be a rematch of Germany's quarter-final penalty shootout win in 2006.
The other two Germany-Argentina highlights were Argentina beating Germany in the 1986 final and Germany returning the favour over Argentina in the 1990 final.
Mexico meanwhile head home from a World Cup yet again after losing at the Round of 16 stage - as had been the case in the previous four tournaments.
The one negative was that Argentina star Lionel Messi, who turned 23 Thursday, once again failed to make the scorer's list. The midfield magician has not scored for Argentina since November, when he converted a penalty against Spain in a 2-1 defeat.
Not surprisingly, Argentina coach Diego Maradona brought Higuain back into attack with Tevez, while Nicolas Burdisso continued to deputise for injured Walter Samuel. Also back were Angel Di Maria, captain Javier Mascherano and Gabriel Heinze, who were all rested against Greece.
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre started with new Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez, who was on the bench in the 1-0 defeat by Uruguay.
Mexico started the game in fine form with a number of strong chances.
Carlos Salcido hammered a long ball off the crossbar in the eighth minute and Andres Guardado's left foot shot went just centimetres wide of the far left post a minute later.
And then Hernandez went wide right in the 14th minute as the Mexican defence stood well early on.
But it was Argentina who grabbed the lead in the 26th minute on an officiating mistake.
Messi played through to Tevez, but Mexico keeper Oscar Perez blocked the ball back to Messi. The Barcelona playmaker then flicked the ball back onto Tevez, who was offside before heading home - though linesman Ayroldi missed the call.
Before Mexico could find their way back into the game, Argentina doubled the lead in the 33rd minute - this time on a mistake by the Mexican backline: Mexican defender Ricardo Osorio played the ball directly into the path of Higuain and the Real Madrid striker held off Osorio, circled Perez and slotted home to take the lead in the
2010 World Cup scorer's list.
Tempers rose at the end of the first half as the teams had to be separated on their way into the dressing rooms.
Then Tevez made sure that it was not just mistakes that allowed Argentina to advance to the final eight with a fantastic goal to make it 3-0 at the 52-minute mark: Out of nothing, Tevez unleashed a brilliant hammer strike from 25 yards into the upper right corner.
Mexico remained determined to at least get on the scoreboard with substitute Pablo Barrera hitting the side netting at the hour mark.
And Argentine defender Martin Demichelis cleared an attempt by Barrera at the goal line with 20 minutes left.
Mexico pulled back a goal with 19 minutes left on a fine individual effort by Hernandez, who spun on his marker and struck into the roof of the net.
But that would be all Argentina would allow - and Perez made a superb save on Messi two minutes into stoppage time.
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