Brazil's Maicon

The aging Italians fell to a shocking 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Slovakians in their final group F match. The Slovakians were recording their first victory and points of their world cup campaign. The result took them from bottom to second place in the group and an unlikely passage into the round of 16. The defeat left the Italians in tears.

There have been 13 countries (up to press time) experiencing a mixture of joy and great relief. They have navigated their passage into the round of 16.

The USA is numbered among those. They have been the stars of first the round, displaying great determination and pride. They have fought tooth and nail against all the odds and it took a 90th minute winner against Algeria to take them through to the second round, just topping the group above the more fancied England.

The stars and stripes will go up against Ghana in the next round.

Fellow CONCONCAF representative, Mexico also advanced to the second round where they will meet one of the title favorites, Argentina. The Mexicans have played some great games and have only lost to Uruguay.

Four South American teams have topped their groups and have made it into the second round. They are Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. Chile, the fifth South American team, is currently leading their group, but must avoid defeat to ensure a place in the second round. So far no South American teams have lost a match. The South Americans continue to dominate in this World Cup and are proving this with their results on the field.

Two Asian teams, Japan and South Korea, have advanced with a neat brand of soccer, backed by a sound tactical approach. Asia can be proud of their performance, so far.

Of the European teams to advance, only the Netherlands seem capable of breaking the South American strangle hold on the World Cup. England and Germany meet each other in the knockout stage and I fear the winner will find it hard to progress beyond the round of eight. Slovakia may find the going rough from the start. The other three teams with chances to advance are Portugal, Spain and Switzerland, which represent some hope for Europe.

Ghana remains Africa’s only hope to advance into the final eight and should not be taken lightly. Ivory Coast will have a mountain to climb in their final group game against North Korea to join the party.

Brazil and Argentina remain the teams to beat; but the games must be played and won. Even Brazilian coach, Carlos Dunga, has admitted that the days of soccer super powers are over.

Let the drama of the ‘Knock OUT’ begin! We all await these thrilling encounters.