Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile

All three have made good starts and in position to qualify for the 2nd round. But can they take the next step and be the first South American team not called Brazil or Argentina to make the last 8 since 1978?

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If they do, they will have to make a better show than Peru, who in the 2nd group stage (equivalent of QF) in 1978 played 3, lost 3, scored 0 and conceded 10

I think Uruguay will win their group and go through against SK/Nigeria/Greece.

Chile I can't see getting past a group G team, and with the shock Swiss result may yet struggle to qualify.

Paraguay, I kind of expect the usual 2R exit.

I haven't bothered to check their possible opponents, but Chile and Paraguay are the ones who have a chance IMO. I don't think Uruguay are that good, they're benefitting from a relatively easy group.


Edit: if Uruguay win their group and face one of those 3 from Group B, then yes, they'll be the ones through to the QFs

Alberto wrote:

How you like that brother...Debaser becoming a WUM FFS

debaser wrote:All three have made good starts and in position to qualify for the 2nd round. But can they take the next step and be the first South American team not called Brazil or Argentina to make the last 8 since 1978?

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If they do, they will have to make a better show than Peru, who in the 2nd group stage (equivalent of QF) in 1978 played 3, lost 3, scored 0 and conceded 10

Chile has to get first place because Brazil is built to beat a side like Chile who will get exposed. However against one of Portugal or Ivory Coast I still fancy those two over Chile. Paraguay has a good chance if they get first place so they avoid Holland and get Denmark/Japan. Will wait to see who Uruguay will meet in the last 16.

L r dd wrote:

Alberto wrote:

How you like that brother...Debaser becoming a WUM FFS

That was pretty good.

I'm a little bit surprised by Paraguay. Thought result flattered them in the qualifications, and they have a very workman like midfield, and I thought they'd struggle against most decent sides, as they're not an overly powerful side either. Played well against who I was led to believe a decent Slovakia side today though.

Still think on paper, Uruguay and Chile have a bit more about them. I really hope Chile make the 2nd round. They'll probably get exposed by Brazil, but they're a very enjoyable side to watch.

Argentina + Uruguay will do well to avoid other SA sides.

debaser wrote:
Paraguay, I kind of expect the usual 2R exit.

Really?

It looks as though they'll win their group and face either Denmark or Japan in the last 16.

Bendtner will send them home

Tweesus wrote:

debaser wrote:
Paraguay, I kind of expect the usual 2R exit.

Really?

It looks as though they'll win their group and face either Denmark or Japan in the last 16.

They could lose to Denmark. I made this post prior to the Italy game and had them 50-50 to finish 2nd and face Holland. Now top spot is pretty well assured.

Would be interesting to do a prediction thread once the groups have been sorted to predict who will get through to the quarters.

This competition has shown so far that no team can be condfident of progression though.

Bizarre how the best team at the championships so far are being managed by a mentalist!

Paraguay have impressed me more than Uruguay. The way the pressed the ball all over the pitch was excellent and would make them a handful against any team.

Paraguay have a better midfield than Uruguay IMO. Uruguay looked a bit shit in their first game whereas Paraguay have impressed in both games.

Tweesus wrote:

Would be interesting to do a prediction thread once the groups have been sorted to predict who will get through to the quarters.

This competition has shown so far that no team can be condfident of progression though.

Bizarre how the best team at the championships so far are being managed by a mentalist!

Tactically, he hasn't done much wrong though. Given the quality they have up front, it's actually rather sensible going with three up top, and the system seems to play fairly fluidly too. Obviously questions over the personnel (notably Veron, Bolatti, Jonas, Demichelis outing superior players, at least on paper from the squad) but so far he seems to have found a system that the players, and most importantly, Messi enjoys.

Uruguay & 1 of the others.

Depends how the draw works out. South Korea could beat Uruguay, Chile would lose to Brazil but would be a match for Portugal (not sure about Ivory Coast with the way Sven has got them to defend). Paraguay I would say are favourites assuming, considering the problems Cameroon pressing had on Denmark. Japan could conceivably try to hold out for penalties but seems unlikely.

Tweesus wrote:

Paraguay have a better midfield than Uruguay IMO. Uruguay looked a bit shit in their first game whereas Paraguay have impressed in both games.

This is true, Uruguay seem to create from the front. If someone presses them high up the pitch they would struggle. Then again, if Uruguay manage a draw against Mexico, then they will have quite a straight forward match in the 2nd round. Paraguay will have it harder against Denmark.

Chile need to top their group and they still have work to do to even qualify.

Calidad wrote:

Tweesus wrote:

Would be interesting to do a prediction thread once the groups have been sorted to predict who will get through to the quarters.

This competition has shown so far that no team can be condfident of progression though.

Bizarre how the best team at the championships so far are being managed by a mentalist!

Tactically, he hasn't done much wrong though. Given the quality they have up front, it's actually rather sensible going with three up top, and the system seems to play fairly fluidly too. Obviously questions over the personnel (notably Veron, Bolatti, Jonas, Demichelis outing superior players, at least on paper from the squad) but so far he seems to have found a system that the players, and most importantly, Messi enjoys.

Apparantly it was Bilardo who gave him the suggestions of playing 3 upfront, and it's worked well. They need Samuel back to hold the defence together. Heinze has been surprisingly good aswell. Team still seems very susceptible to counter attacks though.

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:

Calidad wrote:

Tweesus wrote:

Would be interesting to do a prediction thread once the groups have been sorted to predict who will get through to the quarters.

This competition has shown so far that no team can be condfident of progression though.

Bizarre how the best team at the championships so far are being managed by a mentalist!

Tactically, he hasn't done much wrong though. Given the quality they have up front, it's actually rather sensible going with three up top, and the system seems to play fairly fluidly too. Obviously questions over the personnel (notably Veron, Bolatti, Jonas, Demichelis outing superior players, at least on paper from the squad) but so far he seems to have found a system that the players, and most importantly, Messi enjoys.

Apparantly it was Bilardo who gave him the suggestions of playing 3 upfront, and it's worked well. They need Samuel back to hold the defence together. Heinze has been surprisingly good aswell. Team still seems very susceptible to counter attacks though.

Most teams who play (or try to play) possession football are anyway. Spain, Argentina, Barca, Arsenal, etc generally are though. It usually follows an individual mistake though, rather than some inherent flaw in the system. Of course, it hasn't helped that he's picked about the slowest defence possible on paper though. Milito, Garay, Zanetti atleast have some pace compared to your average Argie defender, but let's be honest much like Spain + Italy (who make up a large part of their heritage) pace has never been a huge part of their game anyway, least not at the back and in midfield.

If i was to make one change to their defence, i would partner Samuel with Burdisso since the latter actually does have some pace. Ideally, Jonas would be replaced too, but Clemente is average and Burdisso and Otamendi are CBs who offer no attacking threat when played at RB.

Arevalo Rios and Diego Perez are one hell of a midfield - its like having 3 or 4 in there with their workrate, stamina and tackling.