Welcome To The Final Four

With the first semifinal match minutes away, the World is on edge. The first match will feature underdogs Uruguay up against the seemingly insurmountable Dutch team.

The quarterfinal match between Uruguay and Ghana was certainly dicey. In the 121st minute, a free kick by Pantsil of the Ghanaian team was put into the box, batted away, kicked away, and then smacked away from the goal line. Breakout striker Luis Suarez was to blame, receiving a red card, and getting suspended for today's match. Uruguay is looking to show the world that they deserve to be on the it's biggest stage.

The Netherlands has not lost any steam throughout this tournament. They are the only remaining team to have won every contest thrown their way. Today isn't going to be an exception. It will be a battle, with Uruguay's 4-4-2 formation up against a Dutch 4-5-1. I think we're looking at a final score of 2-1.

Quarters Are Set

The Round of 16 finished up yesterday with 2 wickedly exciting games. Paraguay-Japan gave us out first penalty shootout of the tournament, and two of the world's best, Spain and Portugal fought it out for 90 minutes, the world number one living up to their ranking. So we're all set for the quarterfinal match-ups starting Friday at 9:30am EST.

The first match is between the Netherlands and Brazil. Brazil seems to be heating up of late, really finding their stride, and really working together as a team. Netherlands is one of two undefeated or untied teams in the tournament, and they play with such poise, precision and determination, it will be tough to stop them. I think in the end, Brazil will become frustrated at seeing their runs killed over and over by the stalwart Dutch defense, and what will ultimately bring them down will be a strong counterattack from The Flying Dutchmen. I wouldn't be surprised if this game ended 3-2.

Netherlands advances.

Later in the day at 2pm EST, Uruguay will take on Africa's last hope, Ghana. As we saw in the Ghana-USA game, Ghana's speed is tough to beat, but they can be worn down. Uruguay is a tough defensive team as well, and they may not have to tweak their game plan much to be successful. Both attacks will be fun to watch, but when it's all said and done, i think Uruguay will walk away, 2-1.

Uruguay advances.

Saturday, the match-up of a lifetime hits the pitch, when Germany faces Argentina. Argentina is one of the strongest looking teams in the field, and are still my favorites to win it all. The attacking force of Klose, Ozil and Podolski is tough to stop, but with the chemistry La Albiceleste are working with, I think shutting them down will be more than reasonable. The magical Lionel Messi is still looking to break through and net his first goal of the Cup, and will look to send Argentina into the semis. Although both teams seem to score at will, I think we'll see a 1-0 game.

Argentina advances.

Finally, powerhouse Spain takes on Paraguay. Only one South American team has been eliminated so far, but this match will be quite a contest. Spain did the seemingly impossible when David Villa scored against Portugal to advance in a 1-0 win. Their world number one ranking could also be somewhat of an advantage for support. Paraguay is an excellent team. They struggled against Japan but were tough defensively and used every attacking chance to its fullest, This game will be exciting, but I think another 1-0 win is in sight for La Furia.

Spain advances.

Go World.

Uruguay Moves On

South Korea fought hard, but in the cold rain Uruguay came away with a 2-1 victory. Luis Suarez scored both goals, with Lee Chung-Yong scoring for the South Koreans.

Suarez's first goal came in just the 8th minute, with a pass that went clean across the face of the goal, drawing keeper Jung Sung-Ryong, enabling Suarez to put in the cross easily off his left foot. The match went without too much action for the rest of the half.

In the 68th minute, Chung-Yong scored off a ball played into the box that he headed on for the equalizing goal. Uruguay wasn't about to go away. On the attack, their forwards did some solid passing, until Suarez inched closer to the left corner of the 18 yard box, and ripped a bending shot off the far post and in to unknot the contest. Beautiful goal.

So Uruguay will move on to play the winner of the USA-Ghana match coming up in just about 2 hours.