World Cup Trivia: Quarterfinals prediction and the Semifinal teams

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2014 FIFAWorld Cup Quarterfinals will start tomorrow! After a 75% prediction accuracy for the round of 16, I am looking to continue this streak for the quarterfinals.

The quarterfinals this time round can easily be the most interesting of World Cup history. With the likes of previous champions such as France and Germany clashing against each other, the results can pretty much go both ways. Who will emerge victorious into the semifinals?

The quarterfinals fixtures in Singapore timings are below

Jul 4th (Friday Night, Saturday Morning)

12am
France vs Germany 
France was doubtful due to absence of Ribery due to injury, but they have since proven their critics wrong with their strong performance. In fact, France has displayed one of the strongest midfield force, especially with the dynamic showing of 21-year old Paul Bogba.

Germany has consistently delivered strong results but tripped in the match against Algeria, scrambling for a win only after extra time.

Key statistics analysis France vs Germany

	France	Germany
World Cups won	1 (1998)	3 (1954, 1974, 1990)
Goals scored	8	9
Attempts per match	19.3	16.5
Shots on target	60%	70%
Passes completed	1807	2560
Passes completion %	80%	80%
Key man to watch	Powerful Midfield: Paul Pogba, Yohan Cabaye and Valbuena	Strong attacking force: Thomas Mueller, Mesut Ozil, Mario Goetze

Prediction: France to go through. This team led by Didier Deschamps is strong, spirited and looks unstoppable.


4am
Brazil vs Colombia 
Brazil, gosh, you worry when you see them play. Despite a star-studded team, sometimes you wonder if they are taking the game seriously.

Colombia on the other hand has shown to be powerful strike force, scoring even more goals than the 5-time World cup champions. The top goalscorer of the tournament so far, James Rodriguez, is frequently compared to Brazil's striker Neymar Jr. It will come to a decisive battle between the no.10s of both squads, and coincidentally, both at 22 years of age.

Statistics analysis of Brazil vs Colombia

	Brazil	Colombia
World Cups won	5	0
Goals scored	8	11
Attempts per match	17.5	11.5
Shots on target	70%	70%
Passes completed	1551	1224
Passes completion %	70%	70%
Key man to watch	Star Striker: Neymar Jr	Star Striker: James Rodriguez

Prediction: Brazil. They make you worry, but that's their style. At the end of the day, they conjure some magic to win, like how they did for the 5 previous world cups.

- If you can only choose between friday night and saturday night, I will recommend to catch these 2 matches on Friday match. If you can choose only one match, I will recommend to watch France vs Germany. Expect another helluva match. -

Jul 5th (Saturday night, Sunday morning)

12am
Argentina vs Belgium 
Argentina has been lucky for the previous couple of matches, winning by a slight margin thanks to their superstar Messi. Can Messi do a Maradona? You bet he can, in the last match against Switzerland, Messi basically cleared the way for Di Maria to score, having drawn 6 defenders to himself.

Belgium has been reckoned as the Dark horse for this world cup. Their current generation amass some of the best players the Red Devils have ever put together. Yet, the team is somewhat incomplete in my opinion. They might have ample chances against USA, but there is lack of synergy due to presence of "onlookers" in the team which do not make much impact.

Some of the key statistics analysis of Argentina vs Belgium

	Argentina	Belgium
World Cups won	2 (1978, 1986)	0
Goals scored	6	6
Attempts per match	19.3	20.3
Shots on target	60%	70%
Passes completed	2112	1641
Passes completion %	80%	70%
Key man to watch	Magician: Messi	Forward: Eden Hazard

Prediction: Argentina. I am optimistic that they might take the World Cup this time round.


4am
Netherlands vs Costa Rica 
The Dutch has put up a strong opening thrashing Spain 5-1. After watching numerous tournaments, it struck me that Netherlands is a team that run out of steam at the end of the cup. They have had the best players, however Netherlands is the only top tier European team yet to have won the World Cup. (They are 3-time runner-ups though) True enough, they are showing signs of fatigue, just managing a last burst of goals in the final few minutes to secure a win against Mexico in their previous match.

Thankfully, their opponent is not the strongest out there. Costa Rica has shocked many with their victory over Uruguay and Italy, but has yet to have a proven track record especially after scrambling through the penalties against Greece. If it was luck that brought them this far, luck can only bring you that far.

Statistics analysis of Netherlands vs Costa Rica

	Netherlands	Costa Rica
World Cups won	0	0
Goals scored	12	5
Attempts per match	13.8	8
Shots on target	70%	50%
Passes completed	1360	1284
Passes completion %	80%	70%
Key man to watch	Attacking trio: Robben, Van Persie, Sneijder	Goalkeeper Keylor Navas

Prediction: Netherlands will win, but they will have to work hard for it. On paper, Costa Rica looks rather weak, but such teams are the real threat.

- Definitely watching Netherlands vs Costa Rica. Secretly hoping for Costa Rica to go through-

What's your prediction?
EUFASS

World Cup Trivia is a series designed for the current World Cup 2014 to give fans more than one ways to savour the game. 

World Cup Trivia: Football Vs Soccer – Whats the Difference?

“What a great game of football.” USA Goalkeeper Tim Howard said after a pulsating match which saw his team defeated 2-1 by Belgium after extra time. (I’m disappointed with the results, but that’s another story) Uh-oh, football? Pictures of American rugby come into mind. Hey dude, isn’t that game of 2 groups of 11 players per side vying for one round ball called soccer?

Whats the difference between football and soccer?

There is no difference as they essentially mean the same thing. Soccer is what the Americans call it due to a name clash of another favourite sport in the country.  

If you look at FIFA’s name - Federation International de Football Associatif - you will see that the official name of the sport is football.

A case of where you are

America: Football is more commonly referred to American football in which it is also a game with 11 a side, but this time competing for a leather oval ball (also called egg-chasing), and using their hands. Think  or google NFL.

Thus, there is a need for an alternative name such as soccer.

Canada: Possibly due to proximity and influence of American and Canadian Football (Think NFL), they use soccer too.  

Europe and pretty much rest of the world: Football

Australia: depends on where you are.

Singapore: Definitely soccer. (even though we speak British English)

What is soccer called in your country?

EUFASS

World Cup Trivia is a series designed for the current World Cup 2014 to give fans more than one ways to savour the game. 

World Cup Trivia: Africa's performance history in the World Cup

The last day of June 2014 is also a disheartening day for African nations at the World Cup Brazil 2014. Today, both Nigeria and Algeria whom have done well to qualify for last 16. are eliminated from the tournament. Let's take a look at Africa's score sheet throughout history of the World Cup.

Best Result 

Quarter Finals achieved by Ghana (2010), Senegal (2002) and Cameroon (1990) - Cameroon: IMPRESSIVE these guys won Argentina 1-0 during the group stage

Most appearances 

Cameroon with 7 participations. This year with Brazil, Mexico and Croatia in their group, tough luck.

Break through in Africa soccer

In 1998, FIFA increased Africa's places in the World cup from 3 to 5, seeing how African teams has successively qualified beyond the first stage. The results were achieved by Morocco(last 16) in 1986, Cameroon(Quarterfinal) in 1990 and Nigeria(last 16) in 1994.

First African country to host the World Cup

I am sure many of you still remember... South Africa. You must remember the vuvuzela!

Highest FIFA ranking African country 

And the winner is... Ivory Coast at 21st position! Also home to big names like Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure.

Though Africa's crusade in this World cup has come to an end, the fact is that their soccer standards are improving and producing more and more big names. The day when an African nation reaches Semi finals for the first time may not be far.


EUFASS

World Cup Trivia is a series designed for the current World Cup 2014 to give fans more than one ways to savour the game.