Day 12 preview — Group B conclusion: Argentina vs Greece; Nigeria vs South Korea

By Kenneth Tan/Red Sports

Day 11 saw normal service resume at the World Cup as favourites Portugal and Spain managed to avoid falling to lower-ranked opponents. The Portugese stamped their class with a 7-0 rout of surprise package North Korea while Spain saw off the challenge of minnows Honduras 2-0. Meanwhile Chile put a foot into the last 16 after a 1-0 win over Switzerland that put them three points clear at the top of Group H.

Let’s move on to Day 12 where the final Group B matches will be played. Table-toppers Argentina take on Euro 2004 champions Greece while second-placed South Korea take on cellar-dwellers Nigeria.

A point for Argentina will be enough to confirm their qualification for the last 16, while South Korea, Greece and Nigeria are all still in contention to qualify.

Will Argentina’s three-pronged strikeforce of Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain prove too much to handle? Or will the steely Greek defence led by Liverpool’s Sotirios Kyrgiakos frustrate the Argentinians?

Will South Korea recover from their heavy loss against Argentina? Or will Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama follow up on his excellent form to deny the South Koreans?

Our pundits bring you their take on the matches and their verdict on who will qualify from Group B.

Argentina vs Greece
Wen Bin Says: 3-0 to Argentina
Even with seven regulars rested, there’s still too much quality in the Argentina squad. In the absence of Tevez and Higuain, they can call upon Aguero and Milito. There is hardly any loss in firepower. Diego Maradona will never send a team out to defend, thus there will be attacking football on display here.

Nigeria vs South Korea
Wen Bin Says: 1-1 Draw
With a huge monetary carrot being dangled by the Nigerian government, we could see a rejuvenated and determined Nigeria side looking to banish their loss against Greece. However with South Korea knowing a draw will see them through, we could see a defensive Korean side determined to shut the Nigerians down.

Verdict: Argentina and South Korea to go through

Argentina vs Greece
Andrew Says: 3-0 to Argentina
The Greeks may have shown great improvement against Nigeria, but that will definitely not be enough against an Argentina side that seems capable of unlocking even the meanest defenses at the moment. While they showed commendable fighting spirit to pick up three points against Nigeria, the two goals scored came courtesy of a deflection and a goalkeeping error. Surely they can’t expect such good fortune against Argentina.

South Korea vs Nigeria
Andrew Says: 1-0 to South Korea
There is no time for self-pity for a demoralised South Korea after the drubbing at the hands of Argentina. Hopefully they have got over that and will go back to the free-flowing football that was on display in their opening match. Nigeria lack bite in front of goal and will struggle to score, although their defence is one tough nut to crack. An individual error or a moment of individual brilliance could seal the match for the Koreans.

Verdict: Argentina and South Korea to go through

Argentina vs Greece
Alfred Says: 2-0 to Argentina
Messi and company will prove too strong for the Greeks as they seek their third successive group win. Higuain will be looking to increase his goal tally with an eye on the Golden Boot.

Nigeria vs South Korea
Alfred Says: 2-1 to South Korea
The South Koreans’ determination and energy should be just enough to pull off this win and progress to the next stage. This will be a close match with the Nigerians looking to pull off an upset.

Verdict: Argentina and South Korea to go through

Argentina vs Greece
Asyraf Says: 3-0 to Argentina
Lionel Messi and company have too much quality within their ranks to be held back by mediocre Greece.

Nigeria vs South Korea
Asyraf Says: 1-0 to South Korea
I expect a tight match between these two teams, but the Koreans might just edge the Africans.

Verdict: Argentina and South Korea to go through

Argentina vs Greece
Ryson Says: 3-0 to Argentina
Argentina are on a winning streak. Coupled with the good form of Lionel Messi, it will definitely help Argentina to another win.

Nigeria vs South Korea
Ryson Says: 1-0 to South Korea
The never-say-die attitude of the South Koreans will give them the extra boost after the loss to Argentina.

Verdict: Argentina and South Korea to go through

Argentina vs Greece
Dilip Says: 2-0 to Argentina
I would say it will be an archetypal clash between defence and attack. Greece base their approach on solidity at the back with their towering central defensive partnership forming an imposing barrier. Argentina, on the other hand, will look to play around their more static opponents with the likes of Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria and Maxi Rodriguez looking to pick holes in the Greek wall. It will be a real test for the Greece defence.

Nigeria vs South Korea
Dilip Says: 1-0 to South Korea
South Korea play an intelligent, quick counter-attacking game, which worked to great effect against Greece in the opening game, but which was simply over-run by Argentina. Nigeria boast greater power and pace, as well as no shortage of technical ability, but they have looked disjointed in their previous two fixtures. I believe the South Koreans will take advantage of that and secure a win.

Verdict: Argentina and South Korea to go through

Argentina vs Greece
Parvesh Says: 3-0 to Argentina
I don’t think Greece will put up much of a fight against Argentina. With the form Lionel Messi is in now, Argentina are definitely one of the favourites in this year’s World Cup.

Nigeria vs South Korea
Parvesh Says: 2-1 to South Korea
Despite their 4-1 loss to Argentina, I think the South Koreans will beat the Nigerians and advance to the second round. Their tenacity and work rate will definitely lead them to victory.
Verdict: Argentina and South Korea to go through.

Argentina vs Greece
Naufal Says: 2-1 to Argentina
Argentina will be too much for Greece to handle despite their best efforts to make it through to the second round.

Nigeria vs South Korea
Naufal Says: 1-0 to South Korea
South Korea will guarantee their passage through over Nigeria in a closely-fought match.

Verdict: Argentina and South Korea to go through

Argentina vs Greece
Khairul Azmi Says: 2-1 to Argentina
Despite resting a few players, Argentina should prove too strong for Greece, especially since Lionel Messi will be playing.

Nigeria vs South Korea
Khairul Azmi Says: 1-0 to South Korea
In this winner-takes-all match, both teams will be going all out to advance to the next round. The Nigerians will find it difficult to keep out the Korean attackers for the whole game.

Verdict: Argentina and South Korea to go through

Argentina vs Greece
Alvan Says: 3-0 to Argentina
The Greeks do have a pretty strong defence due to their superior size but they are more or less toothless on the attack. As such, they should not be much of a threat to Argentina’s defence. Their defence will also most likely be unable to keep Messi and company under tabs. This match should witness yet another classy performance from Argentina in demolishing Greece.

Nigeria vs South Korea
Alvan Says: 1-0 to South Korea
South Korea’s hard pressing game should prove too much to handle for the weak Nigerian midfield. Nigerian goalkeeper Enyeama will be called upon once again to keep out the South Korean attacks. With the possibility of being constantly attacked looming on the horizon for Nigeria, it is inevitable that South Korea will eventually bag a goal in this fixture.

Verdict: Argentina and South Korea to go through

More News on Argentina vs Greece
ESPN Soccernet’s Preview
Is it madness to love Diego Maradona?
Previous Encounter in 1994 World Cup: Argentina 0-0 Greece

More News on Nigeria vs South Korea
ESPN Soccernet’s Preview
Nigeria tighten security around Sani Keita
South Korea captain Park Ji-Sung targets 2002 repeat
Make or break time for Asian teams at South Africa

GROUP A	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
URUGUAY	3	2	1	0	4	0	+4	7
MEXICO	3	1	1	1	3	2	+1	4
SOUTH AFRICA	3	1	1	1	3	5	-2	4
FRANCE	3	0	1	2	1	4	-3	1

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/