The Heat is On!

Well, here we are..

The Group stages of the FIFA 2010 World Cup has just been completed, and we have now our complete fixtures for the 2nd Round:

Uruguay vs.South Korea
10:00 AM ET
N. Mandela Bay

United States vs.Ghana
2:30 PM ET
Royal Bafokeng

SECOND ROUND SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2010
Germany vs.England
10:00 AM ET
Free State

Argentina vs.Mexico
2:30 PM ET
Soccer City

SECOND ROUND MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2010
Netherlands vs.Slovakia
10:00 AM ET
Durban Stadium

Brazil vs.Chile
2:30 PM ET
Ellis Park

SECOND ROUND TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 2010
Paraguay vs.Japan
10:00 AM ET
Loftus Versfeld

Spain vs.Portugal
2:30 PM ET
Green Point Stadium

My pick? Well, while most would be banking on the Anglo-German rivalry, or the Iberian derby, my pick would be the Paraguay vs. Japan for the best game of this round.

Why?

Well in both teams, you have the fittest, most hardworking and dynamic teams in the tournament. It's going to be a cracker of a match, I assure you.

There's also a potential banana skin for Brazil, as they are playing Chile. I believe that it always takes a South American team to beat another (outside of Europe) in the World Cup.. But If I remember correctly, last time they met in the World Cup (..in 1998?), Chile got on the end of a 4-1 hammering..

In that tournament, we had 4 South American, 10 European and 1 African and 1 CONCACAF team in the last 16.

This time around, we have 5 South American, 6 European, 2 Asian, 2 CONCACAF and 1 African team - which makes it helluva much more interesting.

It's also good to note that all six European teams are facing each other, compared to only one all South American team. So in the last 8, there'll only be 3 European teams. Isn't that some sort of record or something?

My point is, the other record of having Europeans never winning the cup when its held outside of Europe might still be standing after the dust settles at this edition of the FIFA World Cup.

My previous prediction of the Dutch playing Slovakia has become true, so if you are a betting man, here's my pick for the semi-finalist, given all that has transpired:

1. Netherlands/Brazil (Brazil if England goes through, the Dutch if Argentina)
2. Spain
3. Argentina/England
4. USA

The winners will be the South American team that makes it to the Semi Finals.

Top Scorer will be David Villa.

USA for 4th.

Hahahaha...