Looking ahead to the World Cup QFs: Thoughts on the Round of 16

The romance of footballing upsets is very fine and well, but I, for one, am glad that the traditional powerhouses were largely represented in the 2nd round matches. I don't care what they say - I would MUCH rather watch Holland vs Portugal and Spain vs France than Turkey vs Japan and Mexico vs USA (both these matches being part of WC2002 2nd round line-up). When the strong teams are in the 2nd round, you get the possibility of quarterfinals matches pitting former champions against one another - to wit, Argentina vs Germany and Brazil vs France.

It's not that I don't want less-fancied teams to do well - I was rooting for Ghana and really wanted South Korea to make it through the group stages. It's not even that I don't believe the powerhouse teams to be over-rated and sagging under the weight of their own unwarranted self-expectations - they ARE.

It's not even about the teams themselves. It's about their nations and their supporters. Even in a world that is generally passionate about soccer, these supporters stand out. There is something more than passion that defines them; there is a fierce pride and the sense of standing on at least having once stood on the path to glory. Maybe I am a sap, but I find that rather stirring.

So much for that. Back to the events in Germany in the last week.

The goals dried up somewhat but I did not find the football any less enjoyable. There were really only two truly boring games in the 2nd round; Switzerland's interminable draw against Ukraine and sad to say, England's lacklustre win over Ecuador. Italy vs Australia was actually rather entertaining, despite the defensiveness of one and the lack of finishing of the other. Argentina vs Mexico was an absorbing match, although it might have disappointed those who expected to see more of the Argentina who turned up against Serbia and Montenegro. Portugal vs Holland was strange, somewhat ill-tempered and littered by yellow and red cards but there was no shortage of good attacking football. Ghana vs Brazil was an open and attractive match, let down only by some questionable refereeing and Ghana's misfiring shots in front of goal. Germany vs Sweden started at a rip-roaring pace and although it settled to a placid inevitability later, there was not a dull moment in the 1st half. Spain vs France was an excellent match in terms of the skills and tactics on display.

In all, a good round of matches, leading to what could potentially be a great round of Quarterfinals showdowns.

I am not sticking my neck out to predict the results. Only one small prognostication: I have a feeling England can go far in this tournament. They are in the QF without having played even one half of good football, and they are facing a Portugal team depleted by suspensions. Something (call it what you will: luck or fortune or fate or destiny) is on their side.