sPAINFUL defeat sees Portugal crash out of 2010 Football World Cup!

Even as the match of Asian giant Japan was in progress against South Americans, Paraguay, my mind was veering towards the titanic clash of Spain v/s Portugal.

Such was the media hype surrounding the clash between these two Iberian neighbours that it was more than a football match. It was a matter of pride. Whichever country would have triumphed would have gone on to book their semi final berth against docile Paraguay. Anticipation of an exhilarating finish was always in the offing.

Considering the strike force of attractive Spanish team comprising of super strikers in roaring David Villa & El Nino, Fernando Torres actually looked like regaining his touch post his injury.

When it began, Portugal created lots opportunities but failed to drive home the early advantage. Hugo Almeida flattered to deceive alongside their talismanic captain Cristiano Ronaldo. He had a one decent go at the goal but was carefully negotiated by Iker Casillas. It did give him a jitter as Portugal once again failed to convert his mistake into an opening goal.

More than a match of skills, it was also a battle of nerves. And Spain held their nerves thanks to their mid-field maestros - Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez & Xabi Alonso along with their Central 'Attacking' defender, Sergio Ramos.

Andres Iniesta moved in with purpose towards the Portuguese goal and made a skillful pass to ever lurking David Villa who scored on the rebound. Simply, it was an ultimate warning to semi finalists, Paraguay. Such is the quality of this Spanish squad that a player of the caliber of Cesc Fabregas has to sit out!

If they play to their true potential, they are going to advance to clinch their semi-final berth. Like Argentina, Germany & Brazil, they have the arsenal to lift this coveted trophy of the world's most premier tournament.

Spanish juggernaut that began with the triumph in European Championships that shed their tag of perennial under achievers has done them a world of good. It has gathered momentum at the right time. Their coach, Vincente Del Bosque has unified the squad marvelously well.

But the road ahead is steeper with even more powerful opponents await them. Spain knows it very well that reputation counts for very little in the end. But Brazil, Argentina & Germany has shown their ruthless form. They are the team to beat.

May the best team triumph!

Argentina thrashed Mexico 3 -1 with their flair play

I was privileged to have witnessed the march of Argentina against the exuberant Mexico team yesterday. Today as I write this, I am fully convinced that if my personal favourite team, Argentina, plays to their potential like they have done so far. I feel, they are on their way to the Finals. But again Quarter Final promises to be another nail biting match with one European powerhouse with an enviable record, while another is a South American giant who is taking giant strides in this World Cup.

Let me assure you that it is going to be mother of all quarter finals as they are two of the strongest contenders to win the world cup.

Argentina is on the move and in the right groove. They have the most potent strike force in the form of super impressive troika - Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Carlos Tevez. Obviously their presence is enough to send jitters in the opposition camps. In this world cup, Argentina has responded marvelously to their legendary coach, Diego Maradona.

When he assumed the mantle of coaching the young and talented Argentinian squad, his critics went into hyper drive criticisizing his maverick ways. And how he loves hogging the lime light being a quintessential prima donna. He is truly unpredictable as most geniuses are. But this time, I am glad that one of my demi gods have proven them wrong as results are for everyone to see.

Besides, it is such a joy to watch the great man on the sidelines in his new bearded avtaar. Maradona always shared love-hate relationship with the media. But this time around, he is focused and it seems, young Argentinian squad is getting inspired with their demi god by their side.

Argentina displayed their flair and attacking prowess with their 3 impressive goals. They are playing as a cohesive unit rather than as individual superstars. I have been their avid fan ever since I became a die hard fan of this beautiful game. There is something alluring about Argentina which makes them so alluring as a sports nation and as a country as a whole.

I have a strong gut feel that this is going to be Argentina and Messi's world cup. He is in supreme touch as he is continually terrorizing opposition defense by providing excellent passes to Gonzalo Higuain and Carlos Tevez. Even though goals have eluded him so far, but he is instrumental in most of the goals which Argentina has scored.

It is such a joy to watch this young superstar who is just 22 years old in full flight dazzling opposition and fans with his mesmerizing genius. The fact that he hasn't got on the goal scoring sheet yet proves that Argentina is more than just Messi. He is everything which Juan Roman Riquelme couldn't. Plus, he is a complete team player which makes him an asset to Barcelona and Argentina.

Carlos Tevez has truly come of age with his tenacious, never say attitude as he is gifted with deadly acceleration which makes Argentina's opponents a continuous migraine with his presence. Gonzalo Higuain has shown his finesse and goal poaching ability for his club Real Madrid. But now he is showing it on the grandest stage of them all - 2010 World Cup.

Mardona's boys have sounded a warning to their opponents and given tremendous hope to their ardent fans back home and those around the world. They are the only team which is playing like Brazil of the 2002!

Germany although trounced England with their superiority seems to have found their match in Argentina! It's going to be a nail biter if Argentina keeps up their impressive run then, German machine will catch the Argentinian rust in their engine of efficiency. May the best team on the day triumph!

Don't MESSi with Argentina!!! Hail Messi. Hail Maradona. \m/

From World War to World Cup War - Germany V/S England

Second World War memories will be revisited in few minutes time as former second world war adversaries, Germany and England clashes in the second knock out match in the Round of 16. From the second world war ( 1939 - 1945) battlefield then, whole football world's focus now shifts to South Africa where battle is about to begin.

Traditionally, in the world of Football, Germany is an perennial achiever with 3 World Cups triumphs and as many European championships. Their cabinet is being adorned by their successful campaigns of the past as an indisputable force to reckon with. They possess enviable record when it comes to performing under intense pressure as they simply relishes the big stage.

Beautiful game as the football is rightly called, Germany is not an attractive team when it comes to flamboyance of the South Americans i.e. Brazil & Argentina, nor do they possess the finesse of Spain or Netherlands. But they are mighty effective when it comes to achieving and keep their proud German flag flying strong.

They have done this over the years as they possessed some of the greatest names right from World Cup winner Franz Beckenbauer to another legendary German and a World Cup winner, Lothar Mattheus who won it in 1990.

Lot has changed since the second war ended. But when it comes to Football, German juggernaut just rolls on sans style unlike other title contenders in this world cup edition.

Today, Germany commands a young team which is dynamic and possess flair for an attacking game unlike their predecessors of the past. Any side which possessing likes of Miroslav Klose, Bastien Schweinsteiger, Lukas Podolski, tearing forward Mesut Ozil as attacking troika. Their defense is not what it used to be. But it is still the best defense in the competition as it is led from the front by their captain, Phillip Lahm.

On the other hand is England which are known as perennial underachievers. Although they have won their lone World Cup way back in 1966 under Sir Bobby Charlton as he is called. Today, England possess golden generation at their disposal. Man to man, they can contest even the best of teams. But when it comes to performing on the biggest, grandest of stage, they somehow fizzle out. But this could be an abberration waiting to happen.

Any team which possess an enviable pool of supremely gifted players such as Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, Joe Cole and with talented players like Aryeon Lennon as the super sub, makes them a favourite but only if they play as a team rather than as individuals.

Opening 18 minutes, game has a sedate start. But I am having a sneaky feeling that something is going to happen.

I am rooting for Germany as I love their Automobile engineering marvels of Mercedes, Mini Cooper, Opel, Audi, Volkswagen, Porsche & BMW, I love their football and country as a whole.

As I write, Miroslav Klose, their super striker scores their opening goal taking his tally to 12 in World Cups. He is simply incredible, ain't he?

I would like to conclude by saying, 'Cometh the hour, Cometh the Man'. And Miroslav Klose is the man which I and Germany's fans look for inspiration.

Hail Germany's super efficiency and their glorious culture which makes it a powerhouse of Europe.