World Cup Quarter Final Weekend

Holland take on Brazil in tomorrow’s first Quarter-Final at the 2010 World Cup. The names conjure up images of creative and attacking play-but what we have seen from Holland so far has been efficient, while Brazil have not yet scaled the heights of the likes of Pele and Co.

Despite his 4 goals, if Robert Vittek was truly world class, he would have taken either or both of the 2 great chances he had against the Dutch. If the game had gone to 1-1, it would have been interesting to see the reaction of the Dutch. As it was, a lack of concentration from Martin Skrtel and a moment of madness from ‘keeper Jan Mucha did for Slovakia as smart play from van Bronckhurst and Kuyt set up Sneijder for Holland’s second and effectively sealed the deal, Vittek’s penalty coming too late to matter. Holland advanced, one wonders if they can move on to the next level in football terms.

Brazil eased past Chile in their 2nd round game-a header from Juan-a ‘an English goal’ as described by ITV, opened the scoring early on, and Chile never really looked in at after that. Brazil have never looked in danger of losing a game so far, but haven’t always been convincing (witness a narrow victory over North Korea and a dull draw with Portugal-granted they were shorn of key players for that game through injury and suspension and had qualified anyway). Luis Fabiano has come up with the goals-I had questioned his temperament before the tournament. Their defence has been as impressive as any attacking qualities they have shown.

Let me digress for a minute....England’s international shortcomings were (cruelly) exposed against a ruthless German side. Players like Matthew Upson and Gareth Barry looked like they have no business playing football on the international stage-granted Upson was at least 4th choice at the centre back position, but surely Ledley King shouldn’t even be considered until he completes an injury-free season? What Fabio Capello is doing for his £5m odd salary is a mystery to me-a team should always be greater than the sum of its parts (see USA), but it could be argued that England are less a team than a collection of Premier League players. Surely it is Capello’s fault that this is the case? Thomas Muller looked a pretty ordinary player when I saw him in the Champions League (granted his nominal position was as a striker), but throughout the World Cup he has been excellent, especially on Saturday.

Interesting-Robinho, Elano and Gilberto Silva were deemed surplus to requirements of Premier League clubs and yet are lighting up the World Cup for Brazil. Arsenal play nice, but ultimately unsuccessful football in the Premier League, with a team staffed largely by non-English internationals. So, is it fair to say that what works in the Premier League will not translate to success on the international stage?
But, there are deeper issues at work. Other than Joe Cole (and this is a stretch), who in England’s squad would fit the role of a Messi, Sneijder, Kaka or Ozul? No matter whom the manager is for Euro 2012 and beyond, it’s hard to see what English born players are ready to step into such a role on the international stage.

The Germans face Argentina in what could be the tie of the round (I don’t honestly expect that Brazil v Holland will produce the game we would like to see)-neither side counts defence as a strength-and they produced 7 goals between them in their 2nd round ties. Maradona is doing a good job silencing the doubters-witness his decision to replace Gutierrez at right back and Veron in midfield for their 2nd round tie with Mexico. He certainly seems to enjoy himself on the sideline and doesn’t face the sort of pressure Dunga faces around the style of his team’s play. Gonzalo Higuan looks like the right choice up front given his 4 goals to date and Germany might struggle to contain both Messi and Tevez. Argentina should prevail, hopefully without the penalties and ugly scenes we witnessed 4 years ago.

Uruguay scraped through against South Korea, but based on the fact that they have the strikers, I fancy them to beat Ghana, who are solid but have trouble finding the net.

Spain came through their group and their 2nd round tie without always convincing. Their defence seems suspect enough and they suffer from the same ‘passing fatigue’ as the Barcelona team that provides the bulk of their side. The bright spark and match winner has been David Villa-a striker in awesome form. If only Fernando Torres could produce the sort of class we know he can Spain might not seem so fallible. They face a Paraguay side that have been miserly at the back so far-1 goal conceded, but even in Italy they have faced no-one in the class of the Spanish. 4 South American teams in the semi-finals? A long shot, but if there is to be one upset in the quarter-finals, I fancy Paraguay.