Second Round Preview

Germany-Sweden

Germany will be at full strength with no injuries or suspensions. Sweden are still waiting on the fitness of key striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic but otherwise full strength. The Swedes are tough opponents and always difficult to beat. In recent years, the addition of Frederik Ljungberg and Bosnian-born Ibrahimovic has added a cutting edge to their attack. With the underrated Henrik Larsson also playing upfront, the Swedes will be difficult to handle for the fragile, and as yet untested German defence. I think Mertesacker and Metzelder are poor manmarkers and also sluggish at ground level. Lahm at leftback has been the player of the tournament for me so far, but he has impressed when going forward against weak teams- he hasnt been defensively tested which the Swedes will definitely do. Arne Friedrich on the right side of defence is more solid but also untested. The Germans' strength lies in their incredible unity, confidence and teamwork. Coach Klinsmann made comments during the week stating that it would be a disgrace for Germany not to at least make the 3-4 playoff. While accepting that he was putting pressure on his young squad, he said, tellingly, that there was no shortage of confidence in his men. With the colossus, Michael Ballack, pulling the strings in the centre, Germany, despite their shortcomings, are favorites. The home advantage must not be underestimated as well.

Argentina-Mexico

On first round form, Argentina are clear favorites. But it would be an injustice to Mexico to write them off. Despite a poor showing so far, there were patches where they showed their ability. The Mexicans have a varied attack- they can go down the flanks with Fonseca, Bravo, Perez (but he's suspended) and their fullbacks Salcido and Pardo; they attack straight down the centre with short passing interplays and also with long balls from the back. What they lack is a player who directs play- Torrado's omission thus far has been baffling in this respect. Argentine coach Lavolpe has made other controversial decisions as well, particularly the non-selection of Cuahtemoc Blanco. The unpredictability of the Mexicans will make them a dangerous opposition for Argentina in the 2nd round. Argentina have a selection problem with Tevez and Messi playing brilliantly against Holland. But I suspect that Pekerman will go with the 11 that started against Ivory Coast, with one playmaker, two strikers and the rest being supporting midfielders and defenders. He is cautious by nature and will be keen to play a possession game to deny and frustrate the Mexicans' freeflowing game. It is hard to see a goal being scored against the Argentine defence who snuffed out the far superior Dutch team. Ayala, in my opinion, along with the Italians Cannavaro and Nesta, is the best defender in the world. He reads the game well and pro-actively intervenes, often before the striker he's marking has had a chance to react. His tackling technique is perfect, and he has the most important quality required in a defender, coolness under pressure. Being a natural leader in defence, it doesnt matter who partners him, all that man has to do is follow Ayala's lead and most attacks will find it a difficult combination to break. So, in this match, I cant see Mexico scoring goals unless they do something unpredictable. It will come down to whether Argentina can continue their attacking form or not. It seems a foregone conclusion that Argentina will continue on their merry way, but 2nd round encounters are generally tight contests where teams play nervously, at least to begin with.

England-Ecuador

Apart from the Brazil-Ghana fixture, this is believed to be the most one-sided of the 2nd round clashes. But that is mostly due to English snobbery, over-confidence and at times, outright delusions. The players will hopefully be shielded against this by their manager Sven Goran Erikson. The English media places such expectations on thier team that the fans and players often start believing that the English team is infact invincible and full of world-beaters. Sadly, for the English anyway, this is not the case. The English will again rely on three aspects of their game for victory:

1. Beckham!!! The man is a freak with setpieces and long shots. He should always be closed down and never allowed to take long shots. Fowls must be avoided against England for the same reason. He will once more carry the hopes of his country.

2. The good old long ball. The English will keep on pumpin' those long balls down hoping for Crouch and Rooney to head down for Gerrard and Lampard to crash in long shots of their own. Lampard leads the tournament in shots at goal with 17; only 7 have been on target and we all know how many goals he's scored.

3. Uncompromising Defence. This England are actually good at. Ferdinand and Terry are fantastic centrebacks and will be tough to beat.

Ecuador, on the other hand, were written off before the tournament. Even after qualifying easily from their group, people are refusing to take them seriously. England will be shooting themselves in the foot if they go into this game with preconceived notions of an easy win. Castillo and Edwin Tenorio will squeeze down any room the English midfielders have and will make it tough to shoot from the edge of the area. Forwards Carlos Tenorio and Delgado have been in good form and will pose a threat, especially in the air. And watch out for my favourite player in this tournament, Luis Valencia, who will turn up at unexpected spots and make fearless runs at the English defence. I dont what prediction to make in this game, but I dont think it will be the cakewalk that the English-speaking press worldwide seems to believe.