Prequarter Final Preview & Prediction - USA vs Ghana ...... The game of the tournament...

Ladies and Gentleman, this is going to be the game of the tournament! Simply because this is going to be a contest between two of the most valiant, attacking and emotional teams of the tournament. 

Apart from Japan, USA is one of the most entertaining underdogs of this world cup. USA's game has been one played with lot of heart. Sid Lowe  last night on the debate at Gol TV mentioned that USA reminds him the way young boys play in England or for that matter anywhere else. Everyone attacks and if you end up conceding a goal or two, doesn't matter....keep attacking. Looking at it from a different perspective, one can argue that USA has shown lot of character and confidence. In first game they were against one of the favorites to win the cup, England, and they conceded a goal all too quickly. Despite that they didn't change their style and finally they got lucky with the now famous, Robert Green howler. Against Slovenia they were trailing by two goals and they almost won the game, had their third goal not been disallowed in one of the most baffling decisions of the world cup. US coach Bob Bradley and son Michael Bradley have especially caught everybody's attention. Dad Bradley made some very interesting and important tactical decisions in last two group games and both changed the scenario of the game. It was interesting to see that at the half time in both the games, Bob Bradley replaced a striker with a midfielder. In the beginning it looked defensive but in both cases, it allowed Son Bradley (Michael) to show his versatility and his ability to play as an attacking midfielder. In fact Michael Bradley's influence on USA's performance in this tournament is probably second only to Keisuke Honda's influence on Japan. Michael Bradley is a wonderful talent with a great ability to mix attacking play with creative playmaking. No wonder comparisons have been made with Zidane in his youth and a much younger Steven Gerrard. While Bradley is the creative brain of the team, Dempsey, Donovan and Altidore can rattle any defense of the world on their day.

On the other hand Ghana is the last African hope. They displayed great attacking football and truly deserve to be in the second round. However, their lack of ability to score might worry them. While the trio of Gyan, Ayew and Boateng form the core of this team, the rest of the team has yet to show the same fighting character. Both their goals scored have come in form of Penalties and despite creating some very good chances in their last group game against Germany, it seemed that they quickly ran out of ideas and played for a draw. However, being the only African team in the knockout stage, expectations are high and so is the support for them. 

Verdict : Given their tendencies to attack and ignore their defense at times, this game might go all the way to penalties. If USA can score early they can create great pressure and Ghana might not be able to recover. Given both teams play attacking game, the one that attacks first will have a greater chance to win. 

Player to Watch. Michael Bradley. The way he has performed so far, he might be one of the biggest stars to emerge from this world cup.

Will el Pulga and el Pipita, win it for el Pelusa?

Pulga is Lionel Messi, Pipita is Higuain and Pelusa is Maradona. In this world cup no player or coach has caught as much attention as Maradona alone. Before this world cup nobody has to take so much flak as Maradona. He tried about 100 players during qualifying round. In fact, Argentina was on the verge of being thrown out before last two games. However, one must agree that people in whom he has shown faith have paid off. He insisted on having players like Martin Palermo (AKA Loco Martin means Crazy Martin or Palermo La Pelicula means, Palermo the movie), Bolatti, Heinze and Veron. Martin Palermo scored the most important goal in the qualifying phase in Buenos Aires when Argentina was drawing 1-1 against Peru and was on the verge of going for a playoff against runner up of the Oceania zone. The goal scored under heavy downpour and torment gave the side much needed boost and then against Uruguay on their homesoil, Argentina fetched a hard fought victory, this time thanks to a lucky header by Bolatti.

Despite qualification nobody was convinced of Argentina and its style.  Nobody knew why Messi couldn't perform for Argentina, the way he did for FC Barcelona with an astounding continuity. But one has to accept that the World cup has been a different story so far though. Messi has performed and handsomely so. Glory of a goal has still eluded him but he has been the leader, the master, the creator that Argentina had been missing, probably since the retirement of his charismatic coach. Maradona yesterday mentioned that nobody else from any other term, in this world cup has been able to perform even a 30 per cent of Messi's level of performance. Someone who has watched Argentina play would agree that this by no means is an overstatement. Messi carried the captain's armband against Greece and became the youngest player to have done so for Argentina. But Messi's becoming a Captain was just a formality. In the very first game it became clear that this team was built around Messi. However, Messi while carries the responsibility of dribbling, passing, dodging half a dozen defenders (which of course is the most beautiful sight of the modern football) and baffles everyone with his speed, Argentina needed one finisher. Have they found their finisher in el pipita (Higuain)? He was criticized heavily for wasting hundreds of chances created by Messi and Tevez against Nigeria but against South Korea he was at his opportune best. Maradona was so convinced of his performance after the game against South Korea that he didn't give him any time against Greece.

However Maradona must be careful and stop gloating (well...he has been doing so for last 24 years....so can't really be stopped now). Team obviously has problems. Despite a goal scored Demichelis hasn't looked to be at his best in defense.  So is true for Jonas Gutierrez. Veron's tendency to play a bit advanced means that at times Mascherano is the only cover before defenders and against teams like Germany or Brazil, who are very efficient on a counter attack, Argentina may be found wanting. 

Whatever, right now the God says that his chosen Prophet is ready to go on the pitch and come back with the crown.........