Argentina-Paraguay
Date: 06-09-08
City: Buenos Aires
Argentina face a difficult test against group leaders Paraguay in Buenos Aires. The Argentines have not managed to overcome Paraguay for 35 years in Argentina, and will have to be at top form in order to pick up the three points this time around. Alfio Basile's side will be determined to impress after having been held in their last two qualifiers -- against Ecuador and Brazil -- where they played poorly for their usual high standards. Basile has selected an extremely strong squad, who are more than capable of defeating the Paraguayans. If the likes of Lionel Messi, Juan Roman Riquelme and Carlos Tevez are on form Argentina will be a real threat.
Paraguay lead the South American group, but know that this match will determine whether they are the real deal or not. Gerardo Martino has assembled a highly-talented group, with depth in all sectors of the field. Argentina will have to be very cautious of their attack, in particular, even if Paraguay will be without prolific striker Salvador Cabanas, who is injured. But they will be boosted by the return of Roque Santa Cruz. Argentina's squad has yet to be confirmed, but it seems like Angel Di Maria will begin from the kick off for the very first time with the senior team. He will be expected to link up with Tevez and Messi in Argentina's intimidating attack. Los Albicelestes are highly fancied to pick up a win, and as Martin Demichelis stated earlier in the week Argentina are "obligated to win" the three points in front of their demanding home fans.
Goal.com Prediction: Argentina 2-1 Paraguay
Ecuador-Bolivia
Date: 06-09-08
City: Quito
Ecuador are a team with loads of potential, and they proved their quality in a 1-1 draw with Argentina in Buenos Aires. It seemed that they were on the right path, but they then could only afford a goalless home draw with Colombia in the following round. It is a fact that they've been very inconsistent, but here they have an opportunity to put this behind them. They face Bolivia -- the worst team in the group -- and have enough firepower to cruise to a comfortable victory. Ecuador count with quality players, and will be motivated by Liga de Quito's Copa Libertadores consecration. Sixto Vizuete, the coach of the national team, affirmed that his team can't afford to drop any more away points if they want to qualify for a third successive World Cup finals.
But in their way stand Bolivia, a side who won their first match of the qualifiers in the previous round. What was the greatest surprise was that they defeated group leaders Paraguay 4-2 in a match that they dominated for large moments. It was a brilliant performance, and it proved that they have the potential to continue to do well. Bolivia are unlikely to reach their first World Cup since USA '94, but will surely give it a fight. If they manage to beat Ecuador (which isn't out of the question) they will begin to start to believe in themselves.
Goal.com Prediction: Ecuador 2-0 Bolivia
Colombia-Uruguay
Date: 06-09-08
City: Bogota
Uruguay have struggled in the qualifiers so far, but will be looking for the three points against a dangerous Colombia side. La Celeste have improved a great deal in this edition of the qualifiers, but although their football has been of a high quality, it hasn't reflected on their results. The Uruguayans have the potential to beat the Colombians as they count with an exciting squad with the likes of an in form Diego Forlan, as well as Cristian Rodriguez and Luis Suarez. Their attack has incredible talent, but for some reason they don't function too well in the midfield. In recent friendly matches, including a 3-1 victory over Japan, Uruguay proved it strength in the attack, and will be hoping to continue to do this against Colombia.
Their opponents, Colombia, are one of the better teams of the continent and will press in the attack early on. They have a good record against Uruguay in Bogota, but they know they will have to deal with Uruguay's lethal attack. They have the players to do so, but will need to focus on defense, because it definitely won't be a romp this time. Colombia boss, Jorge Luis Pinto, says that he expects Uruguay to make some last minutes changes to their line-up, and he is very weary of this because Uruguay have loads of quality on their bench. Pinto insists that his side have to try to break the Uruguayans down in the midfield, so that balls can't be provided to their danger men.
Goal.com Prediction: Colombia 0-1 Uruguay
Peru-Venezuela
Date: 06-09-08
City: Lima
Peru find themselves in an extremely difficult position. They are currently bottom of the South American group, having not won a single match in six attempts. Their problems reached an all-time low when they were thrashed 6-0 by Uruguay in the last round of qualifiers. Even if their football continues to be of a horrible form, it is essential that Peru pick up the three points against Venezuela in Lima. They have no other choice, and will play some desperate football against a Venezuela side who are more than capable of taking advantage of their situation. Venezuela will be looking to rebound from a last-gasp 3-2 loss to Chile in Puerto La Cruz in June. La Vinotinto have improved enormously in recent years and are now considered a difficult side by even the likes of Argentina and Brazil. Their gradual improvement has taken lots of hard work, and a victory over Peru will take them closer towards what would be a first World Cup appearance.
Venezuela haven't loss against Peru in a World Cup qualifier since the year 2000, but will face a difficult test against a side who are hungry for the three points. Jose Guillermo del Solar's side will be without star strikers Claudio Pizarro and Jefferson Farfan, as well centre back Santiago Acasiete. But the coach insists that even if they don't count with their better known players it doesn't mean anything, because they have other talented players who are more than capable of occupying their roles.
Goal.com Prediction: Peru 2-2 Venezuela
Chile-Brazil
Date: 07-09-08
City: Santiago
The appointment of Marcelo Bielsa has seen a transformation in Chilean football, after a decade of disappointment. La Roja are now a solid unit, and actually have a well structured game plan: dominating possession and pressing down the flanks. Chile come into this enticing clash with Brazil having won their last two qualifiers (away wins against Bolivia and Venezuela), but they know Carlos Dunga's men are desperate for the points, meaning that it will be an action-packed encounter. Expect Chile to pile heavy pressure on the Brazilian goal early on, but if Brazil stay strong in defense they will be provided with the space to creep into the game.
Despite their problems, Brazil are a well disciplined side and should finally reach their top form. Although Dunga has yet to confirm his starting XI for the match, he is expected to field a very strong side, which includes Robinho. The new Manchester City striker has a great record against Chile -- having scored five goals against them in two matches at last year's Copa America in Venezuela. He is expected to start this time as well. Chile counter with the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Humberto Suazo and Jorge Valdivia, three players who have the potential to give the Brazilian defense a deep struggle. Whether they will be able to have an impact on the match depends on the quality of Brazil's defense, who have not lived up to expectation so far in the qualifiers.
Goal.com Prediction: Chile 1-1 Brazil
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment