The World Cup schedule 2010 has two more days in the round of 16. Afterward, the World Cup schedule 2010 will finally have off-days, before the World Cup schedules its quarterfinals. The round of eight already has four teams in it, with two more to be let in today. One quarterfinal matchup was hardly expected, while the other renews an old rivalry. After today, the World Cup schedule 2010 will set another quarterfinal matchup, which could be another clash of superpowers.
On Saturday, Uruguay and Ghana set up the first round of eight matchup. It wasn’t Uruguay vs the USA, to the disappointment of American fans. However, the Uruguayans are now a bit more of a favorite, although Ghana will have a home crowd on their side again.
The other set quarterfinal on the World Cup schedule 2010 is one between old rivals. Germany already faced a nemesis in England, and destroyed them with help from farsighted referees. Meanwhile, Argentina also got help from the refs on their first offside goal, as they rolled over Mexico to face the Germans.
The Germany-Argentina clash makes the World Cup schedule 2010 look a bit like 1986 and 1990. Before Germany’s unification, West Germany took on Argentina in two straight finals, with the nations splitting the matches. Now, the Germans and Argentinians are merely meeting for a semifinal berth, although it may feel more like a final.
Today’s matches on the World Cup schedule 2010 could cause another star-studded quarterfinal. The Netherlands is one of two undefeated teams left, and they are trying to stay perfect against Slovakia. Yet, if their 1-0 lead holds, the Dutch’s reward could be a showdown with Brazil, which faces Chile this afternoon.
The Netherlands and Brazil are also two teams that could make a great championship match. Yet, due to the World Cup schedule, they would have to meet in the round of eight instead. But, if they meet, the winner would certainly be favored to get to the finals, as the Uruguay-Ghana winner would await in the semifinals.
The Germany-Argentina winner may not have it easy in the semifinals either. Tuesday’s matches pit Paraguay vs Japan and Spain vs Portugal. The Spain-Portugal winner would be favored in the quarterfinals, and, as such, would be favored to meet either the Germans or Argentinians in the semis.
One side of the World Cup schedule may be harder than the other, as it turns out. Germany, Argentina, Spain and Portugal are all in one part of the bracket, while the Netherlands and Brazil are the only superpowers in the other.
If the Dutch and Brazilians face off, the winner could be the World Cup favorite, while Germany, Argentina, Spain and Portugal beat each other up before the finals. Whether that will help or hurt the survivor of that bracket is unclear right now.
Sources
Yahoo Sports- “Matches and Schedule”
AFP- “Brazil, Dutch eye World Cup quarterfinals place”
