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Introduction:
There can never be an attempt to make predictions on a succeeding round without reflection on the preceding set of matches. As has happened over the years I got some right and I got some wrong. The most astonishing wrong calls were to do with Spain’s exit from its group and the wonderful rise of CONCACAF TEAMs Mexico and Costa Rica.
There is - what I think is - an interesting take on Costa Rica’s performance. It could be argued that the team progressed from a “Group of Death”. The following was how I saw that group –
The reality of “performance on the day” or in Costa Rica’s case "performance during the tournament" trumping all else underlines her excellent play in the tough Group D.
Mexico’s reality is totally different. It is in the genes of its players to play TEAM but its collection of players struggled throughout the CONCACAF’s hexagonal rounds and in the preliminary rounds before. The players and the new coach seem to have finally got it right. Mexico is back to playing what she has most often done, playing as TEAM.
The others of my wrong calls I leave to the fans to think on.
The matches:
28 June 2014: Brazil v Chile and Colombia v Uruguay
Brazil v Chile
Both teams are blessed with attacking talent but Brazil has such talent in every area of the pitch. Both teams have problems defensively. However across the pitch Brazil has the greater potential for improved performances.
Chile could be said to be on top of its game. Brazil is underperforming.
Based on each team's Group play both teams appear evenly matched, however, based on personnel Brazil is a more balanced team and has shown match through succeeding match improvement. Expect Brazil to continue its improvement.
To win and advance – BRAZIL
Colombia v Uruguay
This match-up is an intriguing on. There is Colombia with its exhilarating attacking flair which has always left room for a good counter-attacking team to exploit and there is Uruguay that has already given up 4 goals and has lost the prolific Luis Suarez because of his histrionics.
Following on the FIFA ruling on Luis Suarez incident, based on comments from Uruguay and from its camp, there is a feeling of being persecuted. That has startlingly been expressed by Uruguay’s FA president, Wilmar Valdez,
The conventional wisdom suggests a Uruguay in disarray.
As an alternate to the conventional, it could be that the feeling of persecution brings the players together and brings out the best from the talented Uruguayans?
Will Colombia’s current high flying attacks prevail over a shambolic Uruguay?
The Uruguayans to come out fighting with Edinson Cavani free of playing second fiddle to Luis Suarez and to at last at this tournament fully express himself.
To win and advance – URUGUAY
There can never be an attempt to make predictions on a succeeding round without reflection on the preceding set of matches. As has happened over the years I got some right and I got some wrong. The most astonishing wrong calls were to do with Spain’s exit from its group and the wonderful rise of CONCACAF TEAMs Mexico and Costa Rica.
There is - what I think is - an interesting take on Costa Rica’s performance. It could be argued that the team progressed from a “Group of Death”. The following was how I saw that group –
Group D
Uruguay
Costa Rica
England
Italy
The three teams - Uruguay, England and Italy - in contention for advancing are each in with a realistic chance of so doing.
If I were certain of the fitness of Luis Suarez...one player (?)...I would be double sure of Uruguay's progress. If I could see in the mind of 'the mad' Roy Hudson I would perhaps be persuaded that England would also make it. For all the foregoing...the Italians will present the usual excellent defense and have potent strikers including the unpredictable...mercurial 23 year old Mario Barwuah Balotelli.
England to break my heart and fail to advance.
I have not seem much of Costa Rica recently. I saw one match during the flurry of recent 'International Friendlies' and they looked horrible. I select the Costa Ricans to be 4th in this group.
To win the group – Italy
To advance as runners-up – Uruguay
Uruguay
Costa Rica
England
Italy
The three teams - Uruguay, England and Italy - in contention for advancing are each in with a realistic chance of so doing.
If I were certain of the fitness of Luis Suarez...one player (?)...I would be double sure of Uruguay's progress. If I could see in the mind of 'the mad' Roy Hudson I would perhaps be persuaded that England would also make it. For all the foregoing...the Italians will present the usual excellent defense and have potent strikers including the unpredictable...mercurial 23 year old Mario Barwuah Balotelli.
England to break my heart and fail to advance.
I have not seem much of Costa Rica recently. I saw one match during the flurry of recent 'International Friendlies' and they looked horrible. I select the Costa Ricans to be 4th in this group.
To win the group – Italy
To advance as runners-up – Uruguay
Mexico’s reality is totally different. It is in the genes of its players to play TEAM but its collection of players struggled throughout the CONCACAF’s hexagonal rounds and in the preliminary rounds before. The players and the new coach seem to have finally got it right. Mexico is back to playing what she has most often done, playing as TEAM.
The others of my wrong calls I leave to the fans to think on.
The matches:
28 June 2014: Brazil v Chile and Colombia v Uruguay
Brazil v Chile
Both teams are blessed with attacking talent but Brazil has such talent in every area of the pitch. Both teams have problems defensively. However across the pitch Brazil has the greater potential for improved performances.
Chile could be said to be on top of its game. Brazil is underperforming.
Based on each team's Group play both teams appear evenly matched, however, based on personnel Brazil is a more balanced team and has shown match through succeeding match improvement. Expect Brazil to continue its improvement.
To win and advance – BRAZIL
Colombia v Uruguay
This match-up is an intriguing on. There is Colombia with its exhilarating attacking flair which has always left room for a good counter-attacking team to exploit and there is Uruguay that has already given up 4 goals and has lost the prolific Luis Suarez because of his histrionics.
Following on the FIFA ruling on Luis Suarez incident, based on comments from Uruguay and from its camp, there is a feeling of being persecuted. That has startlingly been expressed by Uruguay’s FA president, Wilmar Valdez,
It’s feels like Uruguay has been thrown out of the World Cup.
As an alternate to the conventional, it could be that the feeling of persecution brings the players together and brings out the best from the talented Uruguayans?
Will Colombia’s current high flying attacks prevail over a shambolic Uruguay?
The Uruguayans to come out fighting with Edinson Cavani free of playing second fiddle to Luis Suarez and to at last at this tournament fully express himself.
To win and advance – URUGUAY
Paul Marin -19 is one thing, 20 is a whole other matter. It gets even worse if they win the UCL. *groan*. 
05/18/2011.MU fans naah cough, but all a unuh a vomit?-Lazie 1/11/2015
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