World Cup 2014 Predictions: Round-of-sixteen Day-2.

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Round of 16-Day 2:

Netherlands v Mexico (Sunday, June 29)

The Netherlands are now up against mighty Mexicans. They have certainly answered their critics after winning the group and thrashing defending champions Spain. The United striker, RVP, is well-rested after suspension in the Chile game in which Oranje registered an impressive victory, whilst Arjen Robben has arguably been the player of the tournament till now for me.

Mexico have also entered Knockouts, allowing only 1 shot on target by Cameroon, drawing 0-0 with Brazil and then thrashing Croatia 3-1 in the group stage. However they need to create more opportunities, if they want beat the runner-up of last edition of the World Cup.

Netherlands on the other hand, need to be patient, in order to register a win against the Olympic Champions.

My Prediction: Netherlands  3-1 Mexico

Costa Rica v Greece(Sunday, June 29)

Greece and Costa Rica were both outside bets to make it through to the Round of 16. But with their impressive display of football, one of them will now be going into the Quarter Finals to face Holland or Mexico next Saturday in Salvador. But for the Greeks, it’s a tough test ahead.

Costa Rica have been impressive, keeping clean sheets in their last two group games. Greece squeezed into the knockout phase for the first time in their history after a last-gasp Georgios Samaras penalty in a match against Ivory Coast last week. But I guess, Costa Rica may be too big of a challenge for the Greeks.

Prediction: Costa Rica 2-1 Greece

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World Cup 2014 Predictions: Round-of-sixteen Day-1.

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With FIFA World Cup Round-of-sixteen fixtures starting from today, Lets have a look which of the remaining 16 teams has a good chance of progressing through the first knockout phase of this World Cup.

Round of 16-Day 1:

Brazil vs Chile (Saturday, June 28):

The hosts will be up against vibrant Chileans who surely look motivated after their tremendous victory over defending Champions Spain. However Brazil fans are also happy escaping a fixture with Netherlands or Spain in the knockout phase. Neymar and Sanchez will be the players to lookout for as they are capable of turning the fixture in their favor on their own. Neymar has scored 57% of Brazil’s goals in this world cup and has been involved in the majority of their attacks in this tournament. If Chile are to reach the quarter-finals for the first time, they need to find a way to stop this Barcelona forward.

As Brazil has never lost to Chile at home, surely the odds are in their favor. This won’t be an easy game for the hosts as they are yet to reflect their best game in this edition of World cup, but my bet, Brasil will emerge victorious.

Prediction : Brasil 3-1 Chile 

Colombia v Uruguay (Saturday, June 28):

Colombia, after topping Group C, are now up against a bite-proof Uruguayan side in the second match today. The nations have met a 38 times till now, Uruguay leading the way with 18 victories, but Colombia are coming into this game after netting nine times in the group stage and only conceding twice, surely this is looking likely to be Colombia’s chance to raise their win-tally to 12.

When Uruguay lost to Costa-Rica in their first group game, Luis Suarez was still recovering from injury, and they looked considerably weakened by his absence. And now they are back in a Suarez-less situation after his contribution of just two games. He made all the difference in the England game, but after his biting incident in a game against Italy, he had a profoundly negative affect on the Uruguayan camp, so expect morale to have taken a blow.

Predictions: Colombia 2-1 Uruguay

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Ramos, Pedro: “It’s not the end of an era ” – FIFA.com

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Spain’s exit from the World Cup Brazil on Wednesday was not the first time that a defending world champion has fallen at the first stage. The same happened with Italy in 1950 and 2010, Brazil in 1966 and France in 2002.

However, none of those four surprise eliminations brought the end to such a dominating run of success as that enjoyed by Spain in recent years. The Spanish have picked up two UEFA EURO titles and a world crown in the last six years.

It was little wonder then that Vicente del Bosque’s men looked so dejected following their tournament-ending defeat to Chileans at the Maracana. Sergio Ramos, who played in both of his side’s losses at Brazil 2014, pulled no punches as he reflected on La Roja’s disappointing performances. He told FIFA.com:

“This is a very tough moment for our national team.”

Though he stopped short of describing it as the end of an era:

“I don’t want to say that because this is the same team that became champions of the world and Europe. We’ve made history in our country and you can’t forget that.”

Spanish were serious title contenders before coming to Brazil. But after yesterdays defeat, Pedro struggled to find reasons :

“It’s hard to explain. We were excited at the prospect of winning this game and carrying on in the competition but it wasn’t meant to be. There’s nothing else for us to do but try to sign off on a high note and then go home.”

“We have to pick ourselves up. It’s tough but we have to look to the future, be positive and try to take Spain back to where it belongs, which is the very top.”

Like Ramos, Pedro also denied it as an end of an era. He was reported saying:

“We’ve got a difficult few days ahead of us, but we’re going to try and finish in the best way we can for ourselves, the fans that have come out here, and for everyone following us at home. We need to show the pride we have in ourselves, even if it’s not really going to mean anything.”

In the immediate future the holders have to take on Australia in a match with nothing at stake before they can fly home.

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Preview : Spain vs Chile

Defending Champions Spain will take on vibrant Chileans today in a Group B fixture, craving for their first win in the current edition of World Cup.
Incidentally, they were thrashed by Oranje’s scoring five goals against one of the best defense in the world last Friday.

Golden Gloves winner, Iker Casillas, who captained his side for consecutive wins in international competitions, was shattered seeing his team in such an embarrassing situation.

Stuck at the bottom of Group B, Spain need a win over Chile to have any real chance of progressing to the last 16.

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Now I want to enjoy it from the first day, have a great World Cup, and why not try to get another title?

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One of the Spain’s most decorated football player, David Villa, announced his retirement from International football.
This came as a shocker as he helped his club, Atletico Madrid, to win Spanish League title after 16 years this season.

I don’t like to say it, but yes, obviously this will be my last World Cup and my last games with the selection given my age, my level of performance, and everything I have given the team. It is time.

On Monday last week, Villa signed a three-year contract with New York City FC, becoming the first player to join the expansion Major League Soccer team.

It’s one of the reasons I accepted this offer – because I still have a lot of football left in me, Otherwise I would have gone home. I want to make a name for myself in this part of the world.