Round Of 16

The round of 16 is finally here at the World Cup and that's when the football action really starts. I'm definitely hoping for more than a few surprises given what we've seen in the early rounds.

In fact some of the relatively more obscure teams like USA, Paraguay and South Korea may go quite far if they get a proper run going and things go their way. Also hoping Japan might spring a surprise or two just for Asian pride.

Not many traditional powerhouses advancing this year given what a joke France and Italy (bottom of the easiest group?!) have been. Germany face England so they will cancel each other out. We're only left with Argentina, Brazil, Spain and Holland in the round as traditional powerhouses. South American teams doing really well this year probably because of the similar climate and altitude between South Africa and the lower continent. In fact all teams from this continent advanced to the next round. Wow. Go Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay!

Japan and South Korea fly the flag for Asia. I'm really happy with that given that I expected more out of Australia  and thought they'd be the only ones making it out of the group stages. Both north Asian teams have done extremely well playing good football and advancing. Was watching the 2.30am match between Japan and Denmark at Peppermint Park the night before and by golly what a good game it was for Japan. Wearing my Nakamura jersey and supporting Japan together with all my Japanese colleagues (amongst other Japanese strangers!). *clap clap clap* Nippon! The Danish colleagues and most of the other Danes left the game by halftime! So I am hoping Japan and South Korea can spring a surprise in this round and advance even further.

So far Argentina looks to be most capable of winning the World Cup given their superstars and surprising connection and collection as a team after their qualifying fiasco (they only secured qualification in WC2010 in the last match with a goal at the last minute!). Lionel Messi is really putting on a fantastic show of quality football inspite of the defensiveness of other opponents when they play against the Argentines. Speaking of which, I think I'll place some money on Argentina winning the World Cup in a moment.

Brazil, Portugal, Spain and Holland look like the ones who can cut it, but their current form isn't very fantastic. Brazil is playing more brute than beautiful, Spain is playing like Arsenal, Portugal has quality but not as much experience, Holland are the perennial number 2s.

So there you have it, a quick round up.

Should be quite an exciting weekend (as much as I'm feeling quite blah that I'm missing my company's Summer Party!. Sobz) .