Germany (3rd), 3 - Uruguay (4th), 2

(Pics by Reuters)

Full strength Uruguay got into the match with Suarez back in the fold from suspension against Germany in the South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup for a Wooden Spoon, in the 3rd and 4th place match. Forlan played with a limp just a little behind him. They started nervously trying to settle.

Germany were without  Podolski,  Klose and Lahm. This was a good tactic by the coach given their mental state of disappointment. The fringe crew is one for the future. they had a point to prove. they wanted to impress their coach, countryman and each other. to show they were not here for a holiday, that they are just as good enough. 

Germany started stronger and pressed hard at Uruguay. The South Americans found their feet 10 minutes on and took the game to the Europeans pushing them against the wall. In the 20th minute, Khadira picked up the ball sprinting from his own half. Shweinsteiger picked up the ball and drove a long shot that the goalkeeper blocked back into play for Muller to score with ease. Germany started to dominate the game henceforth.

Uruguay caught Germany on a counter with Perez robbing Shweisteiger and releasing Suarez who set up Cavani to score in the  28th minute. They took control of the game once more probing the Germany rear guard in the entertaining first half. They looked very dangerous with every attack and created real chances that Suarez squandered.

In the second half, Uruguay wasted the chance of the night when Cavani drew a good save from Butt and laid a rebound to Suarez who missed the target, the goalkeeper pushing the ball for a corner. 4 minutes into play, Diego Forlan volleyed home a perfect Arevalo cross from the right, beating a stranded Butt hands down.

The Europeans got an equaliser when Boateng flighted a cross that was met by Jansen with a header to beat Muslera, who could have done better with the cross. Action moved from end to end with Forlan and Suarez coming close several times. I must say goalkeeper Butt had a really good game.

Germany scored the 3rd goal from a corner-kick headed in by Khadira with 8 minutes to go. Uruguay failed to clear their lines, even Suarez could not get his hands there, being caught static when the ball bounced in the 12 yard box before Khadira pounced. The goal spurred Uruguay for a late surge that only provided entertainment.

Germany (3rd), 3 - Uruguay (4th), 2

(Pics by Reuters)

Full strength Uruguay got into the match with Suarez back in the fold from suspension against Germany in the South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup for a Wooden Spoon, in the 3rd and 4th place match. Forlan played with a limp just a little behind him. They started nervously trying to settle.

Germany were without  Podolski,  Klose and Lahm. This was a good tactic by the coach given their mental state of disappointment. The fringe crew is one for the future. they had a point to prove. they wanted to impress their coach, countryman and each other. to show they were not here for a holiday, that they are just as good enough. 

Germany started stronger and pressed hard at Uruguay. The South Americans found their feet 10 minutes on and took the game to the Europeans pushing them against the wall. In the 20th minute, Khadira picked up the ball sprinting from his own half. Shweinsteiger picked up the ball and drove a long shot that the goalkeeper blocked back into play for Muller to score with ease. Germany started to dominate the game henceforth.

Uruguay caught Germany on a counter with Perez robbing Shweisteiger and releasing Suarez who set up Cavani to score in the  28th minute. They took control of the game once more probing the Germany rear guard in the entertaining first half. They looked very dangerous with every attack and created real chances that Suarez squandered.

In the second half, Uruguay wasted the chance of the night when Cavani drew a good save from Butt and laid a rebound to Suarez who missed the target, the goalkeeper pushing the ball for a corner. 4 minutes into play, Diego Forlan volleyed home a perfect Arevalo cross from the right, beating a stranded Butt hands down.

The Europeans got an equaliser when Boateng flighted a cross that was met by Jansen with a header to beat Muslera, who could have done better with the cross. Action moved from end to end with Forlan and Suarez coming close several times. I must say goalkeeper Butt had a really good game.

Germany scored the 3rd goal from a corner-kick headed in by Khadira with 8 minutes to go. Uruguay failed to clear their lines, even Suarez could not get his hands there, being caught static when the ball bounced in the 12 yard box before Khadira pounced. The goal spurred Uruguay for a late surge that only provided entertainment.

2010 FIFA WC: Spain 1 - 0 Paraguay.

It was a slow game of chess for the Spanish-speaking nations in a match officiated by a Spanish-speaking Guatemalan referee. This quarter-final match was a quiet affair with sporadic attacks from both sides.

Spain had a more of attempts at goal than Paraguay, but the later more telling ones. Paraguay scored a perfect ball by Martinez that was wrongly disallowed for offside by the referee in the 41st minute. Otherwise the match hibernated for extended durations of play.

The second half continued the dull encounter it was until the 58th minute when Pique had a moment of madness, wrestling down a striker, conceding a penalty which was missed by Cardoso, the goalkeeper Cassilas going low to his left to make a save.

Within a minute, David Villa was pushed by Alcaraz and Xavi Alonso initially converted but there was an encroachment by Spanish players and it was retaken. Alonso had a retake saved when the goalkeeper Villar went down to his left to save a hard and low shot and Fabregas crushed the rebound against the post.

That penalty drama lasted 2 minutes and the game recoiled to its slumber once more. Spain were to come with the sucker punch of David Villa after 83 minutes. Iniesta ran through the middle of the Paraguayan defence like hot knife through butter, setting up Pedro whose attempt hit the right upright post and the ricochet fell into the feet of Villa. Villa's curly shot kissed both posts before nestling in the net.

2010 FIFA WC: Spain 1 - 0 Paraguay.

It was a slow game of chess for the Spanish-speaking nations in a match officiated by a Spanish-speaking Guatemalan referee. This quarter-final match was a quiet affair with sporadic attacks from both sides.

Spain had a more of attempts at goal than Paraguay, but the later more telling ones. Paraguay scored a perfect ball by Martinez that was wrongly disallowed for offside by the referee in the 41st minute. Otherwise the match hibernated for extended durations of play.

The second half continued the dull encounter it was until the 58th minute when Pique had a moment of madness, wrestling down a striker, conceding a penalty which was missed by Cardoso, the goalkeeper Cassilas going low to his left to make a save.

Within a minute, David Villa was pushed by Alcaraz and Xavi Alonso initially converted but there was an encroachment by Spanish players and it was retaken. Alonso had a retake saved when the goalkeeper Villar went down to his left to save a hard and low shot and Fabregas crushed the rebound against the post.

That penalty drama lasted 2 minutes and the game recoiled to its slumber once more. Spain were to come with the sucker punch of David Villa after 83 minutes. Iniesta ran through the middle of the Paraguayan defence like hot knife through butter, setting up Pedro whose attempt hit the right upright post and the ricochet fell into the feet of Villa. Villa's curly shot kissed both posts before nestling in the net.

Quarter - Final Preview: Paraguay vs Spain.

I am a risk taker and I am happy about it. Paraguay will beat Spain. They must. I want them to. Spain cannot come in this South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup, play nothing against Switzerland, Honduras and play only 10 minutes against Chile and expect to be my World Champions. Life cannot be that generous if fighters like Ghana are going home.I mean, really! NO, NEVER.

Paraguay have the potential to rise to the occasion. They must not rely on my support and sit on their bums thinking everything is ok. They need to track Xavi and Iniesta big time. They need to watch Villa's runs behind the left back into the penalty area. They must fall into the Spanish trap of caressing the ball mindful, patiently luring them out of their defensive stunts. Brazil fell into one such trap yesterday. Well Brazil do not have a coach.

If I were Paraguay, I would not bother staying out of my penalty outside my penalty area. Paraguay must have a sea of red and wait for penalty kicks. They should not be enticed by the dangling carrot of a possible attacking opportunity. Spain are cunning. I wouldn't trust them with anything.

I await for a Dutch and Paraguay final, or else, it should be Uruguay and the Spaniards, Uruguay running out as winners.

What is your dream final, given where we are now?

Quarter - Final Preview: Paraguay vs Spain.

I am a risk taker and I am happy about it. Paraguay will beat Spain. They must. I want them to. Spain cannot come in this South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup, play nothing against Switzerland, Honduras and play only 10 minutes against Chile and expect to be my World Champions. Life cannot be that generous if fighters like Ghana are going home.I mean, really! NO, NEVER.

Paraguay have the potential to rise to the occasion. They must not rely on my support and sit on their bums thinking everything is ok. They need to track Xavi and Iniesta big time. They need to watch Villa's runs behind the left back into the penalty area. They must fall into the Spanish trap of caressing the ball mindful, patiently luring them out of their defensive stunts. Brazil fell into one such trap yesterday. Well Brazil do not have a coach.

If I were Paraguay, I would not bother staying out of my penalty outside my penalty area. Paraguay must have a sea of red and wait for penalty kicks. They should not be enticed by the dangling carrot of a possible attacking opportunity. Spain are cunning. I wouldn't trust them with anything.

I await for a Dutch and Paraguay final, or else, it should be Uruguay and the Spaniards, Uruguay running out as winners.

What is your dream final, given where we are now?