Africans disappoint, South America dominates

It was an unusual group because all Nigeria needed to do was win 1-0 to go through to the final sixteen, but unfortunately they couldn’t manage it.

However, there was a lot of pressure on the African teams to go far in this tournament – which I think was unrealistic. Nigeria was expected to get through to the semis – despite being ranked 21st in the world – so it was unfair to have expected them to go that far.

Host nation South Africa also went out despite their 2-1 win over France. France were down to ten men when Yoann Gourcuff was rather harshly sent off, but I’m happy for South Africa to have won nonetheless, leaving France at bottom of the group and on their way home after a very disappointing World Cup.

Ghana seems likely to become the only African team in the last sixteen, as it’s hardly likely the Ivory Coast will win by seven goals against North Korea on Friday.

Almost all the South American teams are likely to go through with Mexico, Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil guaranteed a place already. Chile is also likely to advance from their group.

The South American teams have once again proven to be the superior sides when compared with European teams, none of whom have made much of an impression on the tournament so far.

Once we get down to the last 16, anything can happen and that’s when it gets exciting. The match between Mexico and Uruguay on Tuesday saw both sides play an attacking game. One suspect both were trying to avoid meeting Argentina in the knock-out stages. Uruguay’s win sees them progressing to play South Korea on Saturday with Mexico facing Argentina on Sunday.

Greece did well to lose by just the two goals against an Argentinean side that were well below their best. We also saw South Korea making it through to the last 16 for the first time on foreign soil.

They’ve done very well, as have Japan who will also progress to the next round. The Asian teams have good discipline and a strong work ethic which is why I expect both teams to progress.