JayWalk's World Cup 2010 Crystal Ball Gazing - Round of 16

Is it me or is this by far the most boring World Cup ever? A paltry 101 goals in the first 48 games has got to be some kind of low scoring record?

The number could have been worse if the teams didn't start to pump in the goals on their respective 3rd matches.

Well, the good news is that the matches will definitely start to get better and more exciting as I wait with baited breath.

So anyway, my predictions didn't quite turn out to be accurate with only a mere 3 exact matchups of out a total of 8.

In any case, I shall try my hand again with this round of 16.

Uruguay vs South Korea

South Korea really surprise me with their performance and a pleasant one if I may add.

Originally, I felt that South Korea's 4th placing during the World Cup 2002 was a fluke and that the referees really helped a lot.

So while they have the result, I still felt that they lacked credibility. 

Well today, I stand corrected. Obviously Park Ji Sun's stint at ManUtd has done him a lot of good and he is really up there with the rest of the big boys. Expect more Koreans to show up in the European arena after this World Cup.

On the flip side, Diego Forlan was the butt of many of my jokes during his time at ManUtd, Diego Forgone, Forlorn, Forget It, For Chrissakes!! Score! Dammit!!

Again, I am corrected once more as he has done extremely well after he left us for Spain and has shone again here in South Africa.

I see this prolific striker taking Uruguay to the next level and Korea dream run ends here. I'd still give them a standing ovation for getting this far though.

USA vs Ghana

The Yanks are top of the table which probably floored everybody. A country who can't even get football correct (You don't play football with your hands, you use your foot. That's why it's called football. Get it?) is ahead of England?

They are up again Ghana the lone survival from the African continent. You can be sure all the vuvuzuelas will be honking from them from now on.

I say this would be an even match but Ghana, with the entire African continent behind them from hereon will have the edge.

Germany vs England

The reason for seeding is so that the strong teams do not meet early and get eliminated prematurely. This is solely a commercial strategy to keep ratings up high.

However, this only works if the relevant teams play to their script. Unfortunately, this is the case as the Three Lions were mere Three PussyCats. I think even the PussyCat Dolls can get their act together better.

BBC voted Heskey as one who can't even hit the barn door. I am beginning to think that it more of a flattery than insult. Heskey should just pack his pack and go play in the Championship or Division 1. He'd obviously drown in the deeper end of the pool.

I would see this as a done deal in favour of the Germans. However, after the dismal performance at Serbia which includes a penalty miss. I am certainly discounting them by a chunk.

This game would definitely go to a draw at 90 minutes and I'd the English team agrees with me as they are training penalty kicks everyday.

Still, I think the Germans will go through and the English FA continues to remain blind to how overpaid and underdelivered that this bunch of Brits are.

Argentina vs Mexico

Ironically the weakest link of this team is their greatest player. Maradona is a time bomb waiting to go off but I think the timer may just last long enough for them to complete this tournament.

I foresee one of the finalists coming from here. Either Argentina with their squad of superb talents punish every teams that comes in their way or Mexico will be on the Fairy Tale Run Choo Choo Train and beating Germany as well subsequently.

Perhaps, it's the hopeless romantic in me there I will gun for a Mexican victory here (and Maradona caught in a drugged naked stupor in the streets of Johannesburg). All aboard!!!!

Netherlands vs Slovakia

The Netherlands are one of the 2 teams to go 3 for 3 for a total of a maximum 9 points. If we take into account their 8 for 8 in the qualifiers, the 11 for 11. An impressive record indeed.

Still they are damn boring to watch as they play like they are in summer camp.

Worse than the Germans.

So don't expect surprises here as they advance to the next round, boring their opponents to death.

Brazil vs Chile

This guarantees a cracker of a match as the Conmebol Qualifiers' No.1 and 2 teams are paired together. Brazil are not known to self destruct this early in the tournament and so I say they are through to the next round but not before the Chilean give them a run for their money.

The tale of the Chilean flag salvaged from the horrible earthquake and now flying proudly with the Chilean team is certainly touching but I don't think that would be enough inspiration for them to overcome the mighty Brazillians.

Sorry guys. I gotta go with Brazil on this one.

Paraguay vs Japan

Japan got lucky when they are drawn into a relatively easy group. Knockout rounds are a totally different ball game (pardon the pun) and I say the South Americans will win this and advance.

This is certainly a good year for South America as all 5 teams are in the Round of 16.

Spain vs Portugal

This is going to be another exciting game to look forward to. It is like the European version of the Brazil vs Chile.

Spain should prevail in this encounter on acccount of their pedigree while C.Ronaldo will continue to slip and slide all over the place to con the referee.

I hope the cry baby gets a yellow card for cheating. Red would be better, but I am nice guy. So yellow is good enough.

So with that, the Quarter-Final match ups should look like this:

Netherlands vs Brazil

Uruguay vs Ghana

Mexico vs Germany

Paraguay vs Spain