By Kenneth Tan/Red Sports
Day Seven saw the highest scoring game day with 10 goals scored in three matches. One big gun has all but qualified for the last 16 while another stands on the brink of early elimination.
Argentina’s win came in style as they convincingly trounced South Korea 4-1, while France produced a lacklustre performance to fall 0-2 to Mexico. Meanwhile, Euro 2004 champions Greece won their first ever World Cup game after a 2-1 victory over Nigeria.
Let’s move on to Day Eight where another two big guns will be in action – Germany and England. After a convincing 4-0 victory over Australia in their opening Group B game, Germany next take on Serbia. England will have to turn in a much better performance when they take on minnows Algeria, after a lacklustre 1-1 draw against USA.
Will the German young guns produce another masterful performance? Or will the Serbians bounce right back from their loss against Ghana?
Will Wayne Rooney rediscover his hot goalscoring streak for his club Manchester United? Or will the presence of ex-Portsmouth midfielder Hassan Yebda stifle the English?
Our pundit Andrew Chua provides a preview of the first while we provide you the preview of the second game.
Andrew Chua of RI. (Photo © Les Tan/Red Sports)
Germany vs Serbia
Andrew Says: 3-0 to Germany
After having rubbished every criticism about themselves except perhaps the one about them being too machine-like (they trounced Australia like machines, what’s there to complain?), Germany look set to record another solid victory. With Phillip Lahm and gang firing on all cylinders, Serbia, whose frailties were sorely exposed against a weakened Ghana side, will do well to keep the scoreline down.
Serbia do have talent on the field. Up front, Marko Pantelic and Dejan Stankovic look to be genuine threats whilst Branislav Ivanovic and Nemanja Vidic are solid as well. They should also remind Zdravko Kuzmanovic — blatant handball culprit against Ghana — that they’re here to play soccer and not, well, volleyball.
Speaking of Kuzmanovic, there were rumours that he would be pushed up into midfield to allow Serbia to play a 4-5-1 formation in an attempt to stop Germany’s brilliance in the middle of the park. The more likely reason is that if Kuzmanovic decides to do a repeat of what he did against Ghana, he only concedes a free kick, not a penalty. Now THAT is football brains on show by Serbia manager Radomir Antic.
All in all, Germany look set for a comfortable win.
Men to watch (Germany): All 10 outfield players
Hey, after such a fluid show of beautiful football against Australia, it would be ridiculous to pinpoint any single player because the entire team was brilliant. Watch out for a rampaging horde of Germans, with the exception, of course, of Manuel Neuer in goal. He barely had a thing to do, and he’ll probably be glad to catch a few balls here and there against Serbia.
Man to Watch (Serbia) – Zdravko Kuzmanovic (Serbia)
Or rather, watch his hands.
More News
Serbia coach Radomir Antic seeks improvement
Previous Encounter in 2008: Germany 2-1 Serbia
England vs Algeria
England’s Probable Starting 11 (Formation: 4-4-2): Robert Green (GK), Glen Johnson, Jamie Carragher, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Aaron Lennon, Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry, Steven Gerrard (captain), Wayne Rooney, Emile Heskey
Algeria’s Probable Starting 11: Fawzi Chaouchi (GK), Nadir Belhadj. Rafik Halliche, Anther Yahia (captain), Madjid Bougherra, Hassan Yebda, Karim Ziani, Mehdi Lacen, Foued Kadir, Karim Matmour, Rafik Djebbour
Men in Focus: Robert Green and Fawzi Chaouchi
Both goalkeepers would be shouting “What the Jabulani?!” after committing fatal errors in their respective opening games. Green’s clanger against USA caused England to lose two precious points while Chaouchi’s misjudgement meant Algeria missed out on a valuable point.
The two of them will be under the spotlight again tonight and there will be no room for error. A clean sheet for either goalie will be a big morale booster to themselves.
Key Match-Ups
Karim Ziani vs Ashley Cole
The 27-year-old Wolfsburg winger is a tricky customer on the right flank with his speed and trickery. He will come up against arguably the best left-back in the world.
Frank Lampard vs Hassan Yebda
The 31-year-old Chelsea midfielder will lock horns with the 26-year-old former Portsmouth midfielder. Lampard’s vision and playmaking ability and Yebda’s grit in midfield will be one tantalizing clash.
Aaron Lennon vs Nadir Belhadj
The speedy 23-year-old Spurs winger will come up against the 28-year-old Portsmouth left back. Belhadj’s tendency to push up and join the attack means there will be loopholes down England’s right flank for Lennon to capitalise and cross the ball from.
Wayne Rooney vs Madjid Bougherra
There could be fireworks in this clash as the England striker’s confident pre-match prediction riled up the Algeria centre-back. Bougherra might try all means to stop the on-form Rooney, and the Algerian will absolutely love it if he stops Rooney from breaching their defence.
We Says: 3-0 to England
England’s overall quality will overpower the Algerians tonight. Algeria will be a tough nut to crack, but once England manage to break the deadlock, the floodgates will open.
More News
Wayne Rooney’s jibes fires up Algeria
England coach Fabio Capello ponders changes
| GROUP C | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USA  | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 5 |
ENGLAND  | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 5 |
SLOVENIA  | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
ALGERIA  | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 1 |
| GROUP D | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GERMANY  | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 6 |
GHANA  | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
AUSTRALIA  | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 4 |
SERBIA  | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 3 |
For the World Cup fixtures list with Singapore broadcast timings as well as group tables and the list of CCs with free screenings, go to: http://redsports.sg/2010-world-cup-fixtures-groups/
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