Uruguay vs. South Korea 2-1 | World Cup 2010

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For the first time after 40 years, Uruguay succeeded to qualify for the World Cup quarterfinals. Namely, in today’s Round of 16 match Uruguay beat South Korea's team with 2-1 score.

Uruguay was the favorite to win this match, and the final result showed that that this was correct.

Uruguay took the lead in the 8th minute of the game, the scorer was Suarez. But after that goal the team of South Korea began to attack, and Chung-Young in 68th minute of the match scored the equalizing goal for 1-1.

Final score 2-1 was set by Suarez in the 80 minute match, so Suarez led his team in the World Cup quarterfinals.

Uruguay 2 South Korea 1: The Luis Suarez show | World Cup 2010

To be blunt, Uruguay always looked like they had another gear and when they had to move it up, when South Korea got an equaliser, they moved it up and it didn't take long to create the chances and as soon as one of them ended up with Luis Suarez you sort of knew it was going to go in.

But the second half from South Korea was spirited and on the second half display they deserved their goal. If they had started the game with the same spirit, you never know what could have happened, but they didn't and they got ultimately what they deserved.

Luis Suarez got both goals for Uruguay today - we think that is 55 goals this season for club and country - with the first coming in the 8th minute. The keeper will hold his hands up to this; Diego Forlan has the ball on the left and he crosses along the six yard box for an unmarked Suarez to shoot and score. The keeper watched it and did nothing and looked surprised to see a player at the end of it.

South Korea did get an equaliser in the 68th minute when a free kick was put in high to the box and it ended up on the head of Lee Chung-Yong who headed in from six yards out. But that was when Uruguay seemed to move up a gear after coming out for the second half as if they were happy with the one goal.

When they did move up a gear it only took 12 minutes for that lad Luis Suarez to get his second and based on that goal and his performance in this World Cup - he is going to cost some team and awful lot of money this summer.

Uruguay now go into the quarter finals and will meet the winner of USA v Ghana - kicking off at 8.30pm tonight.

World Cup Preview: Uruguay – South Korea | World Cup 2010

World Cup Preview: Uruguay – South Korea | World Cup 2010

Banging In From The Wild West

There is always a mixed report on how endearing the sport of football is in the USA. Some observers suggest that the game is not growing as much as one would have wanted it to, while others believe that the popularity of soccer in America is rising.

Whatever the truth may be, it cannot be denied that the Stars and Stripes' dramatic last minute win against Algeria in the group stage was taken in by all football followers back home and that indeed there is an interest in how the US perform in the remainder of the World Cup.

For a nation that doesn't have a massive footballing pedigree, finishing above former world champions England in the group stage is an achievement in itself. The USA drew with Fabio Capello's side in their opening game in Group C, came from 2-0 down to hold Slovenia to a 2-2 draw and scored a last minute winner against Algeria to finish above England in pole position in the group. As a matter of fact, Bob Bradley's side could have even done better point-wise had they not had a goal (wrongly) disallowed against Slovenia.

The USA reached the final of the Confederations Cup in 2009 by defeating Spain in the semis and indeed they will be looking to go on a similar run. The Americans have shown marvellous spirit and gusto in the World Cup so far. They reached the quarter-finals eight years ago in the 2002 World Cup, but four years back in Germany they were ousted from the group stage by Ghana, who defeated them in the final group game and progressed to the second round.

Africa's Florence Nightingale

This is the first that the World Cup has been held on African soil but most of the African teams have been largely disappointing. However, Ghana have been the torchbearer for a football-mad continent and they will be carrying Africa's hopes on Saturday evening too.

Ghana progressed from Group D as runners-up behind Germany but not before they had suffered some tense moments. Serbia Serbs lost their final match 2-1 to Australia but they could have progressed with one more goal - they had a late equaliser disallowed too.

In any case, Ghana did perform well in the group stages, defeating Serbia in their opening game of the campaign and drawing 1-1 with Australia in their second game. The Black Stars made their World Cup debut four years back in Germany and reached the last 16 and this time they will certainly be looking to go a step further and reach the quarter-finals.

Ghana will have the entire African continent cheering for them and, perhaps more importantly, will have the South Africans rooting for them too inside the stadium, which will certainly inject a healthy dose of confidence in them. Milovan Rajevac's team will also try to emulate Cameroon and Senegal. The Indomitable Lions reached the last eight in the 1990 World Cup while Senegal featured in the quarter-finals in 2002.FORM GUIDE

USA

June 23: USA 1-0 Algeria (World Cup)

June 18: Slovenia 2-2 USA (World Cup)

June 12: England 1-1 USA (World Cup)

June 5: USA 3-1 Australia (Friendly)

May 29: USA 2-1 Turkey (Friendly)

Ghana

June 23: Ghana 0-1 Germany (World Cup)

June 19: Ghana 1-1 Australia (World Cup)

June 13: Serbia 0-1 Ghana (World Cup)

June 5: Ghana 1-0 Latvia (Friendly)

June 1: Netherlands 4-1 Ghana (Friendly)


TEAM NEWS

USA

Coach Bob Bradley has no injury or suspension worries. He will also have Robbie Findley return from suspension. Centre-back Oguchi Onyewu could return to the starting line-up in place of Jonathan Bornstein.

Probable Line-up (4-4-2): Howard, Cherundolo, DeMerit, Onyewu, Bocanegra; Donovan, M. Bradley, Edu, Dempsey; Altidore, Findley

Ghana

Coach Milovan Rajevac is not expected to make too many changes to the side that started against Germany in the last match. Dominic Adiyiah is expected to replace Kwadwo Asamoah in the midfield.

Probable Line-up (4-2-3-1): Kingson, Pantsil, John Mensah, Addy, Sarpei; Annan, KP Boateng; Tagoe, Adiyiah, Ayew; Gyan


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Landon Donovan (USA)

Donovan is one of America's greatest ever footballers and he showed his mettle against Algeria in their final group game. The 28-year-old scored the winner against the Africans in injury time and led his nation by the hands to the last 16. Donovan can go in and out of games but the former Bayer Leverkusen man has the potential to make great things happen against Ghana.

Asamoah Gyan (Ghana)

The striker looked woeful in front of goal against Germany in their last match but he has been the Black Stars' most reliable striker so far. Gyan scored against Serbia and against Australia and he will be looking to put pressure on the American defence on Saturday. The 24-year-old is a very good striker indeed and given that the USA don't particularly look good in defence, Gyan could be the one to send the Americans into a tailspin.


PREDICTION

Both teams have done marvellously to come this far and indeed it is not an easy call to make. The Castrol World Cup match predictor gives the USA a 46% chance of winning the match and Ghana a 28% chance. A draw is put at 26%.

Ghana did look a bit out of their depth against Germany in their last group match while the USA created chance after chance but couldn't finish them against Algeria. The Americans will have the spirit from their last win and should just about edge past the Black Stars.

USA 2-1 Ghana

Elephants' roar not enough | World Cup 2010

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Elephants' roar not enough | World Cup 2010

Yaya Toure and Romaric scored first-half goals and Salomon Kalou added a late third as Côte d'Ivoire defeated Korea DPR in Nelspruit on Friday, yet Portugal's 0-0 draw with Brazil ensured the west Africans still ended the afternoon eliminated. With four points, the Elephants finish one behind the Portuguese, while Brazil top Group G with seven and the Koreans go home after three defeats.

Going into the match knowing they needed to make up at least nine goals on the Portuguese, the Ivorians attacked from the start at a raucous Mbombela Stadium as Kader Keita forced a good save from Korea DPR goalkeeper Ri Myong-Guk in the opening minute. The always-dynamic Gervinho looked to have done enough to open the scoring in the 11th minute when he collected the ball on the byline and pulled it past the goalkeeper and across the face of an empty net, but no Ivorian was on hand to take advantage.

But the Elephants were ahead just three minutes later as full-back Arthur Boka's ball sliced through the defence and found Yaya Toure in space on the edge of the area. The Barcelona man calmly brought it under control and curled a right-footed shot past the diving keeper. Midfielder Romaric tickled the outside of the post with a speculative shot shortly after before doubling the lead on 20 minutes. Didier Drogba made the goal with a fabulous bit of skill, holding off a defender, bringing the ball down and then smacking a shot off the underside of the bar. While appeals were made that the ball had crossed the line, Romaric kept his concentration and coolly nodded the ball through a group of defenders.

When the North Koreans threatened it was from the pace and industry of Japan-based striker Jong Tae-Se on the counter or from free-kicks, with captain Hong Yong-Jo's curling effort in the 24th minute the best they produced. But it was Côte d'Ivoire creating most of the opportunities, and Gervinho had two good openings before the half-time break. In the 38th minute, he broke onto a through-ball in the box but his shot skimmed the bar with the goalkeeper at his mercy. Then, just before the interval, he could only loop a header from Drogba's cross straight at the goalkeeper.

Korea DPR held onto the ball more in the second period, and Jong threatened with a low shot to Boubacar Barry's near post in the 51st minute. Drogba could have increased the Elephants' lead in the middle of the half with two headers but he failed to keep either on target. Côte d'Ivoire coach Sven-Goran Eriksson brought on forwards Aruna Dindane and Kalou in the 64th minute in the quest for more goals, but they left themselves more open at the back and Jong had two chances to score in the 81st minute, with the Korean sharpshooter denied only by some desperate defending. Just a minute after that, Côte d'Ivoire finally found their third – merely a consolation at that point – as Kalou managed to touch in Boka's cross ahead of the charging goalkeeper.

Sleepy but joyful Koreans celebrate | world cup 2010

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Bleary-eyed Korea Republic fans erupted with joy early Wednesday as their team won through to the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup™ for only the second time in eight attempts. Undeterred by the 3.30 am (1830 GMT Tuesday) kick-off, an army of red-shirted supporters packed venues nationwide to watch the Red Devils draw 2-2 with Nigeria in their final Group B match.

Police said 500,000 fans nationwide including 260,000 in Seoul watched the game in public on giant TV screens plus countless others at home. Fans, many sporting red plastic horns, packed City Hall plaza in central Seoul and surrrounding streets. Some wore business suits or school uniforms so they could go straight to work or school afterwards, and the cheering for the national team began even before the game.

Fans held placards reading "You will lose" in Korean script, a phrase which sounds similar to "Nigeria" in Korean. They fell silent after Nigeria's first goal, but when Lee Jung-Soo responded, ecstatic fans jumped up and down and hugged. Others let off fireworks on the road.

The optimistic crowd cheered and sang at half-time, their confidence boosted when Park Chu-Young scored with a free kick to put the Koreans ahead. Even when Yakubu Ayegbeni converted a penalty with 20 minutes to play, the fans packing venues across the country stayed hopeful.

A huge cheer went up when the giant screen at City Hall plaza showed Argentina scoring against Greece in the other Group B game -- ensuring Korea's own path to the next round for the first time away from home. With the Argentina-Greece game winding up just before Korea-Nigeria, the crowd began hugging each other and singing even before added time had been played out.

Fans put their arms around each other and danced a Korean circle dance before trailing away sluggishly but cheerfully to sleep, work or study. "It's a sensational moment. I'm so overwhelmed," said university student Jung Sae-Han, 20. "I am so proud of them and of 50 million Koreans."

Woo Da-Un, 27, said she was happy Park scored his first goal of the tournament. "We've achieved the round of 16. I hope we go to the round of eight and even the semi-finals."

Korea Republic have advanced to every FIFA World Cup tournament since 1986 but never made it to the round of 16 except in 2002, when the country co-hosted the event with Japan. Korea at that time went on to reach the semi-finals. The South Koreans will face Uruguay for a quarter-final spot.

Argentina vs South Koreans 4:1

Argentina vs South Koreans

Gonzalo Higuain fired a memorable hat-trick as Argentina wrapped up a thrilling 4-1 victory over Korea Republic to virtually assure themselves of a place in the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup™.

There was some scintillating attacking football from La Albiceleste as they became the first team at South Africa 2010 to reach six points. Nudging Higuain for individual honours as Korea Republic – impressive winners over Greece in their opening Group B fixture – were torn apart was the mercurial Lionel Messi, who had a hand in all four goals.

Argentina were quickly into their smooth-passing style, switching the ball quickly to their creative talents, with Carlos Tevez eager to nag away at the Korean defenders. Angel Di Maria also demonstrated the potential to make it a difficult afternoon for Korea Republic right-back Oh Beom-Seok, who had come in for Cha Du-Ri. It was following a foul on the Benfica winger that Argentina went ahead. Messi's free-kick was perfectly judged, looping towards the penalty spot where it came off the shin of Park Chu-Young, leaving Jung Sung-Ryong powerless to keep it out.

A stunning right-footer from distance from Ki Sung-Yueng indicated that the Asian team were not going to take that blow lying down but chances were virtually non-existent as the South Americans continued in comfortable control, probing away and posing all manner of problems. Tevez zipped a free-kick just too high and on 32 minutes Argentina had their second goal. A free-kick was played short this time with Messi inviting Maxi Rodriguez to deliver the ball into the danger zone where it was flicked back towards the far post where Higuain was waiting to steer in a header.

It was so comfortable for Maradona's team with Sung-Ryong denying Di Maria, and Messi only fractionally wide after a wonderful jinking run that bemused a clutch of defenders. But then a lapse in concentration allowed the South Koreans back into the match. That certainly seemed to be the case with Martin Demichelis who was guilty of dwelling on the ball as the first half entered into added-on time and Lee Chung-Young took ruthless advantage.

After the break Sung-Ryong did well to keep out Higuain's effort but Diego Maradona's team, now without Walter Samuel, who was forced off with an injury, were vulnerable to Korea Republic's pace on the counter. That was never better demonstrated than in the 58th minute, when Park Ji-Sung slid a perfect pass into the stride of Yeom Ki-Hun, who could only hit the side-netting.

The last words went to Argentina however and Higuain. After a one-two, Messi tore into the area and saw his first shot repelled by the goalkeeper. His follow-up struck the inside of the post and there was Higuain to apply the final touch. Messi and Higuain were not finished yet. With ten minutes remaining Messi's beautifully executed scooped pass put Sergio Aguero clear down the left and his cushioned cross was met with a clinical header from Higuain to wrap up his hat-trick.