The Moment of Truth
Posted on | June 29, 2006 | No Comments
The light-hearted have gone home. The heavy-weights will fight it out for one shot at glory. Only one goal: To win the Fifa World Cup 2006. The hosts kick off the final phase of the Cup when the play the impeccable Argentinian side in the first quarter final of the Cup.
German Squad: The Germans have had no worries in the Cup, all what Jurgen Klinsmann has touched has turned to gold. Klose and Podolski have linked up beautifully and Michael Ballack has been perhaps the best player in the tournament not to have scored a goal. Friedrich, Mertasacker, Metzelder , Lahm have formed a formidable back-four. There is terrific team-unity within the Squad. Even Oliver Kahn has been quoted saying, “Jens’s performances have been flawless, calm and balanced. Three clean sheets speaks for itself”. All in all the team are on a high, and it will take a monumental effort from Argentina to topple them. Only Torsten Frings is on a yellow card; hence he needs to be a little careful.
The Talis-men: Klose & Podolski. The tall and short of it. I need not explain why they are dangerous, do I? Their performances have given enough food for thought.
The Argentinians have looked the most-impressive in this tournament . A 6-0 thrashing of Serbia shot them into instant limelight and made them clear favorites to win the Cup in Germany. But their defence has never been tested so far, and Germany will be all set to check for the chinks in the Argentine armour.
Argentina news: Argentina coash Jose Pekerman is spoilt for choice as he sits down to choose his final 11 on the eve of the biggest match of the World Cup so far. Crespo and Saviola will make the eleven ahead of the prodigal Messi. The right-back will again be a spot of great contention with Burdisso , Scaloni and Collocini all with a chance to fill in.
The Talisman: Leo Messi. The Barca starlet has had a very quiet WC and he would be looking to set the record straight against Germany.
I see: A German victory. Buoyed by the crowd support, the Germans to sneak a 2-1 win.
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