Paraguay vs Spain Preview – Quarter Final | World Cup 2010

Spain and Paraguay aiming for their best ever World Cup finishes

Paraguay will be attempting to reach the semi finals for the first time in team history while Spain is aiming to at least equal their best ever finish of fourth place at a World Cup when the two meet in a quarterfinal clash at Johannesburg on July 3

Spain had to win their last Group H game against Chile to make the playoffs after losing to Switzerland 1-0 and beating Honduras 2-0. They beat Chile 2-1 and the three points and goal difference put them in first place with six points. They then looked impressive in their 1-0 playoff match against Portugal and seem to be peaking at the right time.

Paraguay drew reigning World Cup champions Italy 1-1 and then beat Slovakia 2-0 before drawing New Zealand 0-0 for five points and top place in Group F. They then beat Japan 5-3 in a penalty shootout in their playoff game after a goalless 120 minutes to reach the quarterfinals for the first time.

For all the scoring power Paraguay has with forwards Oscar Cardozo, Edgar Benitez, Lucas Barrios, Nelson Valdez, Roque Santa Cruz, and Rodolfo Gamarra in the squad, they don’t attack enough though. This will be fatal against Spain because if they fall behind as the Spanish are masters at ball possession, as shown against Portugal. Their chances may be few and far between, so Paraguay has to make the best of them. If they do happen to get the lead, it’s possible they could hang on for a victory, but if they sit back and wait for chances instead of trying to create them, they could be waiting all night.

Spanish striker David Villa is on fire at the moment with four goals in the tournament so far and that’s a good thing for Spain as his partner Fernando Torres is stone cold. Torres was taken off against Portugal and replaced by Fernando Llorente who played well for the rest of the game. It shouldn’t shock fans if Llorente starts against Paraguay and they still have midfielder Cesc Fabregas who can score goals if needed as a substitute.

The Spanish defence is solid with Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Joan Capdevila, and Sergio Ramos, and keeper Iker Casillas has been there when called upon for the most part, but he still doesn’t look like the Casillas of old. Spain looked off form in the group stage, but owned the ball against Portugal, so it looks like Paraguay is meeting them at the wrong time.

Spain vs Paraguay Odds and Predictions

The two teams have met just three times in the past with Spain winning once and the other two ending in draws. Spain has a habit of underachieving in the World Cup, so it wouldn’t be a huge shock if they get knocked out here. But going on the form of the two teams at the moment they should take this game 2-0.

Germany vs Argentina Preview – Quarter Final | World Cup 2010

Germany’s youth set to take on Argentina’s experience

Germany is hoping to win its fourth overall World Cup while Argentina is attempting to lift it for the third time, but something’s got to give as they are set to meet each other in a classic quarterfinal matchup at Green Point stadium in Cape Town on July 3.

Germany survived a scare after losing to 1-0 Serbia in group play, but came back strong in their 1-0 win over Ghana to take top spot in Group D with six points. They then took care of England 4-1 in their playoff game. Argentina breezed through Group B with three wins for nine points and then took care of Mexico 3-1. Along with Holland, they are the only team to have won all four of their games.

The two teams have met each other 18 times previously with Argentina winning eight, losing five and drawing five, while outscoring the Germans 25 to 23 in the process. The last time they met was at the quarterfinal stage in Germany in 2006 when the home team won 4-2 in a penalty shootout. Both teams are preparing themselves for another shootout by studying videos of their opponent’s penalty kicks. Argentina beat Germany 3-2 in the final in 1986 and Germany returned the favour in 1990 with a 1-0 win to hoist the trophy.

Both teams have excellent firepower up front with Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain leading the way for Argentina. Higuain has four goals while Tevez has a pair. Lionel Messi has yet to score, but has been having a superb tournament all the same and looks dangerous every time he has the ball. Substitutes Diego Milito and Martin Palermo are also top notch goal scorers. For Germany, strikers Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski each have two while midfielder Thomas Mueller leads the team with three. Midfielder Mesut Oezil also has the skills to score at any time. Substitute striker Cacau is out with an abdominal injury and is doubtful for the game.

German keeper Manuel Neuer looked a little shaky against England in the first half of their game, but then pulled off a brilliant save against Steven Gerrard in the second half to make up for it. Argentina’s Sergio Romero has let in two goals, but has been steady. He is playing behind a suspect defence though, which is Argentina’s weak spot and could be exploited by the German’s speed and passing.

The first goal in this game could be crucial as the team that falls behind will be forced to open things up. But these two teams like to attack in the first place, so it shouldn’t be a huge tactical alteration. Look for whoever scores first to try and add to the lead though instead of sitting on it, as this could prove to be a huge mistake.

Germany v Argentina Odds and Predictions

The Germans are young and fast, but inexperienced when compared to Argentina. However, their pinpoint passing and creativity could be enough to win this game by a goal. It might go into extra time or even penalty kicks, but Germany has the tools to take it 1-0.

World Cup - Top 10 all time scorers

World Cup - Top 10 all time scorers

#	Name	Goals
1.	Ronaldo	15
2.	Gerd Müller	14
3.	Juste Fontaine	13
4.	Pelé	12
5.	Juergen Klinsmann	11
6.	Sandor Kocsis	11
7.	Gabriel Batistuta	10
8.	Teofilo Cubillas	10
9.	Miroslav Klose	10
10.	Grzegorz Lato	10

Yahia rallies Algerian troops

Algeria's newly-designated captain Anther Yahia has issued a rallying cry to his team-mates ahead of their opening 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ match against Slovenia on Sunday.

The Group C encounter at Polokwane could arguably be the Algeria's best chance of securing some points, with England and then the USA waiting in a tough pool. But Yahia, who will forever be a national hero after scoring the play-off winner against Egypt to qualify for the finals, stressed that his team-mates were more than ready to get going.

"We've trained well and we can't wait for kick-off now," he said. "The match is very important and to start the tournament well we must win it, it is a decisive fixture."

Coach Rabah Saadane has had a rough time with his team - a 1-0 victory over the United Arab Emirates at the weekend breaking a losing spell going back to their 4-0 loss to Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final in Angola in January. "If the coach is on tip-toes, he has his reasons," acknowledged Yahia. "He knows his team. He also has experience of international tournaments. We haven't had the team line-up and we'll see what he'll put in place."

Yahia, who plays for Bochum in the German Bundesliga, added that the team's major problem had been inconsistency in playing personnel. "Before playing the UAE, we hadn't played with our best team since Sudan," said Yahia, refering to when they beat Egypt in the play-off. "That doesn't help preparations. It's also due to fatigue built up over these last years because of tournaments, summer play-offs and all the travelling.

"The bodies sounded the alarm bell. Despite all that, we still managed to play some matches. Personally, I've played in the last seven or eight and that has allowed me to find my rhythm. We've worked well, we've played our warm-up games and from Sunday comes the truth of proper matches."

Although Yahia will captain his side against FIFA World Cup debutants Slovenia, he said that Lorient midfielder Yazid Mansouri, who will be named as a substitute for the game, would remain the squad's leader.

"It's an honour and a real pleasure but it kind of takes a back seat," said Yahia. "What counts above all is our performance. As for Yazid, he remains our first captain. In the squad, he's very important and very respected."

England captain Rio Ferdinand will miss World Cup

Captain of English national football team, Rio Ferdinand, is injured and will miss World Cup 2010.

Ferdinand suffered left knee injury on the first training of England team in South Africa. He was injured in the last minutes of training, in the duel with the Aston Villa striker Emile Heskeyjem, reports BBC Radio 5th

He was immediately taken to the hospital next to the English camp in Rustenberg to determine the seriousness of the injury and it appears that the defender damaged knee ligaments. Fears were confirmed after he left the hospital on crunches.

New captain of the England team at the FIFA World Cup will be Steven Gerrard.

Ferdinand’s place in the team will take Tottenham defender Michael Dawson, who had already been on "stand-by" in case of injury. Dawson is tonight flying to South Africa where he will again start to train with his teammates.

Nike called upon Brazilian superstar Alexandre Pato to unveil the brand new home shirt of five-time World Champions Brasil.

The 2010 Brazil football jersey has an iconic design, and features various classy details such as the five-stars on the sleeve and the motive on the reverse of the badge close to the players' hearts. The shirt will be debuted in an international friendly, and will be available from May 1st 2010.