Unique and Special

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With the Germany and England tie so early in the competition, makes this World Cup all the more excitement. England are one of the favorites to win the World Cup and although they played below themselves in the first two games, in the third we saw that they have the potential to do well.

Germany too are a strong team, against Australia we showed that we have the ability to destroy good teams. England were surprised to drop points to the USA and Germany didn't expect to lose to Serbia, but such is football. I feel that this game is very evenly balanced. Both teams are defensively strong. Terry is a leader at the back for England, Lahm is the same for Germany. In midfield they have experienced players in Barry and in Gerrard and Lampard who also provide a goal threat.

For Germany, there are fitness concerns about Boateng, Schweinsteiger and Ozil, who is only young but he is gifted and adds a special creativity to the team. Klose and Podolski have the ability to open the England defense but England also has a special forward in Rooney who will play to his best in this game.

Germany will have more possession, England will move the ball forward faster, and chances will be few. If they are to win England know that they must do it within the extra-time period, or before. History shows that matches between Germany and England often end equal, and that the shootouts are always won by Germany. In the World Cup of 1990 and in Euro 96 we saw this, and perhaps we will see it again in South Africa 2010.

Argentina against Mexico is easier to call, although we have seen already in this World Cup that no team is safe from a surprise result. Mexico are very fluid, they move the ball well, and they create chances, although they are not as good at taking them. Striker Carlos Vela of Arsenal should be fit after being injured in the win against France which should help. The Mexicans play with three captains, and captain Marquez in defense will have a special responsibility to perform well. Although they struggled to qualify, Argentina have lit up the World Cup with their cavalier attacking style.

In Lionel Messi they have a unique and very special player, and with him in the team a match is never lost before the final whistle. In Higuain they have another world-class forward. You can add Tevez and Aguero, even on the bench they have forwards who would grace any other team. It is also interesting to me that despite all this striking talent it was a defender, Gabrielle Heinze, who scored the only goal against Nigeria, and against Greece it was another defender, Demichelis, who opened the scoring deep in to the second-half, and against Korea the first goal was an own-goal.

Argentina will attack but they will also leave space for Mexico and if the Mexicans can score first it will be interesting to see how Argentina responds. This should be an exciting game, perhaps closer than many people feel, but it's difficult to contemplate Argentina losing.

Source : SIFY.com