24 Down, 8 left standing.  The last 16 games have now concluded and we have seen our first penalty shoot out of the tournament.  Yuichi Komano was the unlucky candidate who missed Japan’s 3rd penalty handing the advantage to Paraguay, who took full advantage and dumped Japan out of the competition with an impressive 5 from 5 spot kicks.  Komano rattled the cross bar with his effort.  What do they say, 12 yards of skill, 69 yards of courage needed in a penalty shoot out, Komano can stand proud that he had the courage to take a kick, sadly for him and Japan, there has to be a runner up.

Last night saw Portugal leave the competition also following a 1-0 defeat at the hands of an impressive Spanish side.  In truth the score line flattered Portugal who didn’t appear to have a game plan, especially at 1-0 down, then failed to make any impression on the Spanish goal with talisman Ronaldo left out in the cold on his own as a single point of attack.  He is another who failed to impress on the big stage while his Iberian counterpart David Villa showed once again why he would be first on any team sheet.  Another goal in a crucial game taking his tally to 4 and a solid contender for the golden boot award.

As for the quarter finals taking place on 2nd and 3rd of July respectively, we have the mouth watering prospect of Holland v’s Brazil and Argentina v’s Germany.  Spain arguably have the easiest route to the semi final taking on Paraguay, although will meet the winner of Argentina and Germany when they surely get there.

So its hotting up now and we really have sorted the wheat from the Chaff.  As far as predictions go, I can see Brazil, Spain, Argentina and Uruguay making the semi final’s and I’ll stick my neck out and say a Brazil v’s Spain final.

As for other matters football related, in a revelation Sepp Blatter has apologized to England and Mexico for what he called “evident referee mistakes” and went on to say that the case for technology in football would be re-opened at a FIFA meeting in July of this month.  The English FA and Mexican FA have accepted the apology, although in truth is of little benefit now they are out of the competition. 

As for what else might be on the agenda for the FIFA meeting, the sooner they stamp out play acting from the player the better.  Sadly we saw another incident last night with Spain defender Joan Capdevila taking a tumble after apparently being intentionally elbowed in the head by Portugal striker Costa, and the referee producing a red card.  The video evidence and Capdevila’s miraculous recovery would suggest otherwise.  These are match changing incidents and players that dive, play act and fake injury to gain an advantage should suffer the same fate as those that commit fouls, ban them and they will soon learn.

Quarter Final Predictions

Netherlands 1 - 3 Brazil
Uruguay 2 - 0 Ghana
Argentina 2 - 1 Germany
Paraguay 0 - 3 Spain

England…Out, Italy…Out, France…Out.  These are the big names that have fallen by the wayside so far.  After another dire performance from the England team against the Germans, it’s a relief to see them land back at Heathrow Airport from South Africa.  Let’s face it, whilst the qualifying campaign proved to be the most successful of all time, our performance against teams made up of more than postmen and bakers was frankly embarrassing.  The England team proved without doubt that it's not the quality of the players on the team sheet, it’s the quality of the team on the field.

England were simply outclassed by a young and ambitious German team.  Sure there may be fire in the bellies of some of the England camp, namely David James, who clearly had some ‘constructive criticism’ of his back 4 to air, was our best player even when we conceded 4 goals!  I’m glad the press had relatively little to say about the Frank Lampard goal that never was.  Sure, FIFA rules regarding goal line technology seems in the dark ages, but frankly so is England’s approach to major tournaments.  I cannot for any reason see why had that goal been given there would have been a different outcome to the game, the Germans were simply better and wanted it more. 

The real upset of the lack of Technology was that of Mexico, who unfairly had to concede a goal that was clearly offside, recognised by the linesman and referee after a technical blunder in the stadium which saw the big screen show the replay of Carlos Tevez 5 yards off-side.  Rules and rules and the linesman did not flag this before the whistle was blown for the goal and the rest is history.  Well lets hope it’s history and FIFA adopt a sensible approach to this and introduce the 4th referee.  It works in rugby, its works in cricket, the argument of cost is wearing thin and it has to be only a matter of time before FIFA accept that in a multi billion pound industry, chance and human error have little part to play.  World Cup and Champions League finals can swing on a single bad decision.

So Argentina, Ghana, Brazil, Germany, Holland and Uruguay are through to the last eight and there are only 2 places left for either Spain or Portugal and Paraguay or Japan.  I would back Spain and Japan to make the last eight.

As for England, the inquest will begin as to why they performed so badly on the world stage.  Watch this space.

Today's Predictions

Spain 2 - 1 Portugal
Paraguay 0 - 2 Japan

Arrivederci Itlay.  Well what a fantastic world cup! While many fans may be unhappy to see some of the leading lights get knocked out of the football world cup 2010, all the teams that get through deserve to be there as far as I’m concerned. Football is a real leveller and top teams can never take a win for granted against any opposition.

Italy simply were not good enough to qualify even though their poor defending and pride combined to make an absolutely thrilling match. When they looked dead and buried the Azzurri regrouped late on to show that they are always a force to be reckoned with, but it was too little too late. Congratulations are in order to Slovakia who will now meet the Netherlands in the world cup quarter finals and the Dutch will do well not to underestimate them. The quarter final which ever will be talking about will be the meeting between England and Germany and whatever happens it was great to see England avoid an early exit unlike Italy and France.  This is sure to be one of the games of the tournament so don’t miss it on Sunday.

Today there are too dead fixtures and two exciting matches. Although Portugal and Brazil have already qualified it will be a fascinating clash, especially given the huge Portuguese influence on Brazil. Both teams will have a point to prove so expect some fireworks. Yet the fact that Spain may yet finish in second place slightly complicates things as the winner of Brazil v's Portugal will have to face Spain in the last 16.

While Portugal or Brazil may want to avoid the Spanish, my theory is that you have to beat the best teams to win the trophy so it doesn’t matter which stage you play them at. Portugal will be on a high after their seven goal thrashing of North Korea, but Brazil have looked the real deal so far with classy goals and an attractive formation. The other game in the group is between the Ivory Coast and North Korea and I expect the Africans to recover some pride with a strong showing. They will have felt themselves unlucky to have ended up in the ‘Group of Death’ once again.

Tonight the key clash is between Chile and Spain. After their shock opening match this is a must win game for the Spanish. The tournament favourites will have their work cut out for them though as Chile have impressed all onlookers with their attacking football and tactical awareness. We could well see another shock though i expect the Spanish to squeak through.

Today's predictions:

Ivory Coast 3 - 0 North Korea
Brazil 2 - 2 Portugal
Spain 2 - 1 Chile

With the group stages drawing to a close, its time to sort the wheat from the Chaff.  Groups C and D now determined with England making the grade after a vastly improved performance, but only a 1-0 win over Slovenia, USA will be joining them in the last 16 as Group C winners after a last ditch goal from Donavan in the 92 minutes saw them break the hearts of Slovenia and steal top spot in the dying seconds.

Group D was wrapped up last night with Germany taking top spot and a beaten on the night Ghana going through as runners up in the group.  Unless you’ve had our head in the sand for the last 12 hours, you’ll have heard that England will now face Germany in last 16.  A great match is in prospect with this fixture always drawing massive crowds and extra interest.  The last time the sides met in a competitive environment, England took the honours 1-0, but before then the Germans had a knack of sending England home, usually after penalties.  Let’s hope this match doesn’t go that far and a good match will see a worthy winner, but if it does, Jermain Defoe told the press this morning that the squad have been out practising from 12 yards just in case!

The German coach, Franz Beckenbauer is doing his best to wind up the England team by regularly reporting to the press that England have reverted to the old style of kick and rush.  With Wayne Rooney underperforming again (although improved from that against Algeria) he will be keen to demonstrate his class and comments form Beckenbauer will only fuel is passion!  Like Rooney, I am sure every England fan is relishing the chance to get one over Germany after being dubbed stupid for not winning the group and avoiding Germany in the last 16.  All will be revealed Sunday afternoon.  Can’t wait!

As for today, Italy are in need of a performance to stay in the competition and nothing short of a win will do for the Azzuri against Slovakia.  In the other side of the group, Paraguay take on Newzealand.  As for this evening, Denmark take on Japan while the in form team Netherlands take on Cameroon looking to make it 3 wins from 3.


Sorry to keep harping on about it, but the French really are getting a hard time over their dismal performance with French President Nicolas Sarkozy meeting talisman Thierry Henry today to get the low down of what went on in the French camp.  I would be thinking about a long holiday if I were Raymond Domenech.

Today’s predictions;

Paraguay 0 – 1 Newzealand
Slovakia 1 -3 Italy
Denmark 0 – 1 Japan
Cameroon 1 – 4 Netherlands

Right now at Rhinocarhire.com we are celebrating after being shortlisted in the 2010 Travolution Awards under the category of Best Car Hire Website.  We’ve come a long way and are very proud that our efforts are being recognised by industry leaders.  Others to make the shortlist are;

•     Budget.co.uk
•     Carrentalbookers.com
•     USRentacar.co.uk

We are in some good company, particularly with the likes of Budget and look forward to meeting the competition at the awards ceremony on 28th September at the famous Battersea Power Station.  We will be sure to let you know how we get on, although after delivering a grooms and a best mans speech so far this year, I feel well qualified should we get the nod!

With Argus Car Rentals and Holiday Autos battling out for top spot in 2009 and Car Rentals crowned winners in 2008 we are proud to be in the running this time around for such a prestigious award.  Click here to see all the categories and finalist for this years awards.

Thanks to all of our customers who have made all this possible and if we do win, keep your eyes peeled for more great offers by way of thanks!

The Rhinocarhire.com team